As humans, we often seek out other humans by looking for commonalities – shared preferences, characteristics or experiences that create in us that sense of, “Wow – me too!” and which kindle a bond between “this” person and “that” person – whether that bond is momentarily – such as being seatmates on a turbulent flight – or lifelong – found in friendships that span decades.
God wired us this way – we are relational beings. And, He is a relational God – He does not need us, in the sense that we need each other – but He wants us, because He loves us.
And, we need Him.
But sometimes it is difficult to comprehend our relationship with the triune God. At times, we can sense His very nearness and clearly see His work. At other times, the distance feels far. We can not seem to “reach” Him.
And many times, we can’t possibly begin to understand Him.
Jen Wilkin, in her book “None Like Him” approaches the differences between God and us in a way that eases that sense of anxiety when we can’t quite wrap our mind around who He is, even in the midst of our relationship as Christ-followers, to Him.
Furthermore, she explains why these differences are good. Comforting. Life-giving, even.
Wilkin examines 10 attributes of God’s being by taking the big, churchy, theological words such as “Omnipresent”, “Omniscient” and “Immutable” – and breaking them down into bite-sized thoughts that we can feed our souls with. She brings clarity to what can sometimes be murky waters that would be easier to avoid. Sometimes we avoid diving into these truths because they seem to be more for the theology student, the seminary professor, or the pastor to wrestle with. But, when we avoid them, we miss a level of richness in what we can know about God. Jen invites us to wade into these concepts, because not only is the water fine – it is comforting.
As I read Wilkin’s books, I discovered that the very differences between God’s character and mine – the things that seem to hard to grasp and that, quite frankly, I wish at times were not truth – are the very things that I NEED to be truth. I need Him to be sovereign. I need Him to be self-sufficient. I need Him to be incomprehensible.
Wilkin assures us that He is all of those things. And, that those very differences foster an even deeper relationship than were God to be understandable, or hold limited power, or – maybe especially – if he were to somehow need me.
Don’t miss out on this book – read it slowly and savor the words – and examine the ways in which you find comfort and relationship through the attributes Wilkin addresses.
*Note: I received a review copy of this book from Crossway Publishers
