The otherness of God

I became deeply intrigued with the TV program Lost, especially with the introduction of ‘the others’. The directors of Lost really do capture the true essence of human nature when the survivors who crash-landed on a mysterious island discover ‘the others', who existed on the island before them. The discovery of the others by the characters we as viewers have come to like and identify with is met with a classic reaction of fear and suspicion of what they do not understand. What’s more is they cannot see, manipulate or control the others, which frustrates our beloved survivors. It’s not until the series unfolds that we discover that the others have a story, too. So herein lies the question: can we cast aside our fears and suspicions long enough to actually hear and - maybe - understand the story of the other?

I once heard of a Christian congratulating an atheist on being liberated of their atheism because they admitted that there is a possibility that God could exist outside their understanding. While many of us would like to applaud our Christian friend for pointing out the limitations of the human mind and experience, we mustn’t be too smug in our deliberations or ownership over the nature of God. Many who claim to have the inside word on who God is and how God chooses to reveal Godself often struggle to participate in the on going dialogue and discovery of who God is, who we are, and who we are in relationship with God and one another. I would dare to expand on that and say that God can exist beyond anyone’s understanding. In fact it is in that which we do not understand that we could discover something new and profound about the nature of God. God is most often revealed to us through that which we cannot explain, or outside our experience. Let us not forget the wisdom in the question, ‘Is it possible that God could exist outside your understanding?’

There is room to discover that God is much greater than the explanations, names and descriptions we give. In fact, all that we do not know or are yet to understand about the nature of God is found in otherness, that is, the other. While we are called to care for and seek justice for the other we have an ethical hesitation towards the other because of difference of opinion, doctrine or choice of lifestyle. The other may be that which we are afraid of or do not understand, it may be the conversation we’ve failed to have or the person we struggle to love. If we open our hearts and minds we discover that God is revealed in the other and we must acknowledge that God exists in relationship with us intimately but also in the distant other we are yet to discover. We do not contain all knowledge and understanding which makes our journey so enriching and new each day.

We discover the nature of God revealed in human form through Jesus, yet even that has its limits for us. It is through Jesus’ example that we are called to continue to discover justice, love, grace, compassion and mercy as we interact with the other. It is through this practice that we continue to discover and rediscover the nature of God and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. The Spirit prompts and calls us on to continue the journey, discover ourselves and what God truly wants from us.

I believe Jesus’ life, death and resurrection is about so much more than we sometimes understand. God’s tick of approval on the life and ministry of Jesus must remind us of a life of faithfulness lived not only as an example to us all but hopefully as a beacon to help show us where our sin really lets us down and is the cause of our failure to also live such a life. We acknowledge that we need a savior but do we know what we really need salvation from? I believe that one of our greatest sins is displayed in the expulsion, exclusion and segregation of ‘the other’ because of our fear or lack of understanding.

Is it possible that we could learn something profound about the nature of God by embracing the other? May we always be embracing of otherness and may your life be enriched by the colourful tapestry of the nature of God.

Shalom Mark