You’ve likely heard this little expression inserted into a conversation dealing with what seems to be an impossible situation: “but God.” It stands as a perspective-altering declaration that when the presence of God is recognized, things appear totally different. It’s our way of acknowledging that there is a God of infinite wisdom and might who rules over even the most difficult circumstances.
The skeptic might hear “but God” as empty optimism that masks reality. “What’s the big deal?” they might ask. But the follower of Jesus Christ understands that it’s not empty optimism, but a rock-solid confidence that God is a big deal.
But how big is this God that we boast in? How do we picture God? What’s He like?
The way we answer those questions is influenced greatly by our spiritual environment. It’s critical that you and I keep ourselves in an environment where we are exposed to the right views of God. We need to regularly hear truths that paint an accurate picture of God.
Where can we find such an environment?
One setting is the environment of fellow believers. There are men I know whose lives have been impacted greatly by God, and to be in their presence broadens my view of God. I hope you have people like that in your church or maybe at your workplace.
Faithful Christians in ages past can have a similar influence. Consider reading a book by A.W. Tozer, Hudson Taylor, or Amy Carmichael. You could likely add other names to my list, but the point is that learning more about God from the saints of old will help shape our understanding of the heart-stirring bigness of God.
Another helpful environment to enhance our view of God is to stop and reflect on our own experiences with God.
Based on your encounters with God, what is He like? Has He shown himself to be loving, patient, powerful, awe-inspiring? To pause and recall the things God has done and who He has proven himself to be in your life will help you to have a better understanding of the bigness of God, the impressiveness of God.
And, of course, the Bible serves as the most important environment for us. The more time we spend in this holy book the more accurate our view of God becomes.
We navigate the pages of Scripture, and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, our sight of God becomes clearer. His beauty becomes more evident. We could say He becomes bigger, bigger than we realized. It’s like driving toward a massive snow-capped mountain; the closer you get the more aware you are of its enormity, not to mention its splendor.
Consider this wonder-filled description of God from an Old Testament brother of ours, King David (it’s a favorite of mine):
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).
You might remember when God brought the wicked King Nebuchadnezzar to the point of acknowledging Him as the “Most High.” Here’s what the king said about God:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,
But He does according to His will in the host of heaven
And among the inhabitants of earth;
And no one can ward off His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?” (Daniel 4:34-35)
Those are just two examples of how the Bible is such a productive environment for broadening our view of God. You’ve no doubt discovered that, as you’ve spent time in God’s Word.
Let’s determine to continually live in an environment that promotes a growing awareness of the bigness of our God.
