Painting With Many Brushes
By Rev. Josh T. Baird
Josh is the Associate Pastor at Tylersville Road Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mason, Ohio. He earned his M.Div.at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, while serving as student associate pastor at First Christian Church, Madison, Indiana. After graduating from seminary, Josh was called to TRCC, where he enjoys serving a church where growth, vision, and creativity are encouraged and the Spirit is given plenty of room to work.

Our language for God is rich and varied. The names and metaphors we use for God are the brushes by which we attempt to paint an understanding of God. This is not an easy task, however, and more often than not we are tripped up by the fact that some images we use contradict each other. The brushes clash, refusing to produce a simple picture of God. The more accurately we try to describe God, the more muddied and gray our picture becomes.

One response to this dilemma is to make use of only a few brushes, perhaps just one. In this case, however, the tools become the picture itself. By using only one name for God, that name becomes the subject of our faith and worship; we turn that name into an idol. Another unfortunate consequence is that the overuse of one image or name causes our understanding of other attributes of God to fade or be forgotten. When God is repeatedly described as a steady rock, for example, it is easy to forget that God is also a swirling cloud of dust.

Ultimately, God will always be more than any picture we paint, no matter how many colors or brushes we use. And that is a good thing. Our task is always to be open to new metaphors and names for God. We must attempt to talk about God as both victor and victim. We must attempt to talk about God as both king and servant. We must attempt to talk about God as both mother and father. We must attempt to talk about God as friend and stranger. We must attempt to talk about God as neighbor and enemy.

With every brush that we use, we discover God in new and unexpected places. With every name we use, we realize just how beautiful and diverse a creation God has made. With every image we consider, we expand our understanding of God and of our place within God's creation. May God give us rich vision to paint and to see the inclusive blessing of diversity.

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