Part 3 of a series that I first wrote in 2017. Some of you will have read these before - some for the first time. Thanks for reading.

Remember how I said, three weeks ago (!), that I saw two new things in the Michelangelo tableau above?

I got to thing one two weeks ago -- that Adam, and you and I, are so apathetic about faith. Then I had to take a break because of the events of the world.

Now for thing two: God.

Look at God! Not that God is male or that God has that typically divine looking white flowing beard. But look at the face and muscles and gestures of God!

There is energy in that extended finger. There is a determination on the divine face. In fact, God is leaning so far forward that he has his arm around an angel's neck for fear of falling out of heaven!

In the face of that nonchalant Adam, God is the picture of determination and intention. God Is reaching and reaching and reaching even as Adam is leaning away.

If you have been a long time reader of THursdayTHoughts, you know that this is often my image of God; this God who is running towards us even as we are turning away. A picture of God who is always and forever interested in us even when we are more interested in all that glitters. A vision of the Divine who has far more faith in us than we have in him.

And here is that image that I have been talking about-- and it is 500 years old! It's nothing new. I'm not being radical. God is forever reaching toward us. And not even our leaning away will deter God.

Peace this week,

Bishop Barbins

Copyright (c) 2024 Laura Barbins, all rights reserved.