No Adjectives Left

Every so often I get to teach a kid's Sunday School class. I fill in for people when they can't make it, which works well with my schedule.

I have to admit I love teaching the kids. I like the prep time we get with the other teachers before we start, I like the lessons they teach the kids in "big group", and I really like the challenge of trying to communicate things out of God's word that will make sense to them in "small group". I often learn as much from the kids as I hope they learn from me.

For the past number of years I have tried to do these three things in class:

- Tell them that God loves them, and He wants them to be with him forever

- Tell them that I care about them and they are worth my time

- Have fun and laugh

I have added a fourth thing...

One Sunday about a year ago, I noticed I was having a difficult time explaining how much larger, greater, better God was then we are. Some of the kids were looking at me with that "I don't think you know what your talking about" look.

I tried something. I said to them, "Repeat after me, God is awesome." They easily repeated, "God is awesome." I then said, "... and I am not." About half of them repeated it, a few were quiet, and couple said, "that's not true, I'm awesome too."

For a couple of minutes, a 9 year old was trying to convince me that he inspires "awe" in those around him. 

So I tried, "God is great, and I am not." - and again I got mixed results, with an "I'm kinda great too." thrown in. 

God is wonderful...

God is fantastic...

God is infinite...

I didn't have any of the kids try to convince me they were infinite, and to be honest, I doubt they grasped the meaning of it.

Ever since then, when we pray at the end of class, we get on our knees, and I start with "Repeat after me: God is awesome, and I am not." And every time - no exceptions - I get some objections.

So what's the big deal? 

I think we have taken those adjectives - those concepts - reserved for the One who is infinitely far above us, and we have decided to apply them to ourselves. I think it directly correlates to being the richest, most powerful, nation on earth (for the moment).

Language is a powerful thing. If there are no terms left that separate our capacity from God's, then I guess there isn't really any compelling reason to reach out to Him.

Maybe I worry too much about these philosophical points. Then again, maybe not.

So for the record:

God great - I am not
God is awesome - I am not
God knows all things - I don't and never will
God is infinite - I'm a finite, created thing
God is all powerful - I have little control over anything
God is perfect - I fail
God is faithful - I am often not reliable
God is always good - I am often evil

In the book of Revelation, Jesus says this to one of his churches, using cryptic language:

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

God, help me to see things as they really are.