A Spoonful of God

I used to see a bumper sticker that said, “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.”

I would quote that bumper sticker and people would nod with satisfaction as if I had just handed them the secret of the universe in a small box, and now they could go on to put dinner on the table. 

And then I would challenge them: “This is an interesting statement. But what exactly do we think God has said?” And I would use any answer they offered to initiate a protracted discussion, which bugged them, because they were ready to move on

I probably took too much pleasure in bothering them, but I think my point is valid:

You can’t limit God to a bumper sticker. To use another quote of a similar style:

Anything you can put in a nutshell belongs there. 

On the other hand, Jesus and John had a way of saying very big things in short sentences:

God is love.

God is light.

I am the Bread of life

I am the Light of the world.

I am the way, the truth, and the life.

I am the Good Shepherd.

I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

I am the Resurrection.

I am.

Quick sayings.  But they were meant to generate conversation, not stop it cold.  I have spent a life time pondering these statements. People will ask me for definition and look disappointed when I can’t give them a quick answer to explain an absolute truth.

Time is a major factor. We don’t have enough of it, and it seems to me that the most important things often cheated by busyness and fatigue created by the busyness.  For instance, I spend a lot of energy honing a worship service to keep it to a mere sixty minutes. And most people don’t have time for protracted group study of the Bible.

But I think most of us hunger for truth, meaning, and purpose.  Maybe we’re even starved, which could explain why we want it all in one spoonful.

A spoonful of God. That just isn’t going to be enough, is it?