Practicing Your Image of God

I've come to realize that people probably 'live out' their theology--or for a quick explanation, their real image of God. I think this may be particularly true when you are in a position of power or authority over others. If you are cruel or vindictive; if you lord your power over others according to whim; if you are never available--I think this could be you reflecting your own perceived imago Dei. Especially in a seminary context. In three years as a seminarian, having significant experience with authority systems in three seminaries, this has really become clear to me.

I've given some of the more negative examples. Now I'm going to give two just kind of interesting and pretty good examples. They're different from each other even, but still pretty good. These are the two professors that extend me the most encouragement and 'mentoring,' who I tend to trust a lot--even though their styles are different. I don't think I really made the connection with these two, though, until we started studying Mircea Eliade:

Imago Dei I:
The wise old man lives in the tower seemingly above it all. It takes some time to get hold of him when you try to contact him, and sometimes you wonder if he's around or remembered. But he does descend at odd times, and will collar you, with interest, and tell you what you need to be doing with your life. It doesn't last very long, and really it is usually pretty good, and then he goes back up again. But it sure makes you think...

Imago Dei II:
You're afraid to bother him, but you find he's almost always there when you get up and go to him. He always offers you a chair, even if you don't intend to stay long. He always seems to listen well. He doesn't overreact when you confess things that seem terrible to you. He may have different ideas than you for how to get out of a present fix, but you get the sense his intentions are good. And even if you are making a mess of things, his patience endures.

It's kind of interesting how I think of God...honestly, both of these, but at different times. And despite knowing so many images of God and knowing I should probably be more 'liberated,' I still have to say I usually think of God with white hair and a beard. Hmm...