If God believes trusting in God is in our best interest, why doesn’t God sign each sunset in the bottom right corner? It seems God could be a lot more obvious by intervening more than God seems to. I will never been satisfied with explanations that suggest God is to dignified to have to show or explain themselves. I would die to be asked by my children to make my beliefs clearer. How much more a perfect, loving God! I have a hard time believing a loving God cares more about their reputation than helping us to rely on our Creator.
It is more difficult for God than one may think. Damn if God does; damn if God doesn’t. One could view God signing each sunset as being egotistical. Since this is not a loving behavior, one could suggest God really doesn’t exist. But, I don’t believe all are being rebellious who hesitate to believe in a God or can’t wrap their head around having a relationship with an invisible God. Spiritual rebellion is denying the possibility of a God so to justify living a self-centered life.
Keep in mind God did show up in history in very tangible ways. God dropped manna from the sky to help a nation survive in the wilderness and separated the Red Sea to escape one’s enemy, but people still did not believe or at least put their total trust in God. God even came in person but Jesus’ miracles did not obtain the results some may suggest if God would stop hiding.
God wanted us to come to them on our own terms rather than out of feelings of obligation or awe. God wanted it to be all about us and not God. Loving parents desire their children freely reciprocate their love as opposed to feeling manipulated. Do the below seem reasonable as to why a loving God may be less obvious?
- God may not be able to intervene in evil and suffering because true love must never be dictatorial. We ask why God didn’t take Hitler out of this world, but Hitler was enabled and chosen by many who could have stopped him. God’s constant interference and presence may prevent a superior world from emerging as a result of the moral development and improvement of free creatures. Interference can prevent growth and self-satisfaction resulting from making wise, independent choices. God instead can at least provide a life after death with God for those who desire it.
- God may know that a majority of people will reject God now if more “in your face” as opposed to a time in the future under different circumstances. Timing in relationships is crucial. People may also come to believe in God for the wrong reasons in “shock and awe” times which are not conducive for a long-lasting relationship. Also, God revealing themselves in perceived very real ways isn’t always comforting. Many are vulnerable to extreme guilt and discouragement when seemingly having fewer excuses for failing. God always watches out for the most vulnerable, so those of us who can readily except forgiveness might show more compassion.
Faith may be unavoidable in trusting God knows the right balance. Being in the presence of others we offend isn’t always initially conducive for lasting change. God wanted us to come to God on our own terms rather than out of feelings of obligation or awe. God wanted it to be all about us and not God. Uncontrolling, loving parents always desire their children freely reciprocate their love as opposed to feeling manipulated, even if it can be proven a mutual relationship is in their best interest.
What God May Really Be Like - Misbeliefs About God 