The visibility of God

Immortal, invisible, God only wise is the opening line of Walter Smith’s 2003 hymn, and one many of us sing often. However, this week I would like us to reflect on the visibility of God rather than the invisibility the world associates, and what that means for us as Christians.

I was recently at an education leadership conference and one of the speakers talking about being visible as a leader made a poignant point and it started me thinking about God. To simplify the comment, being visible is not about being seen, it is about your presence, confidence, reassurance and direction. To this end, I question whether our God is invisible or visible. A simple read through the bible addresses all these points quite distinctly and demonstrates a visible God, however we need not be just son entrenched in believing the bible is the only visible incarnation of God. Look at the world around us, look at the flowers, animals and the seasons, and think about how this world provides for us. Look at the kindness that people show and good that people do for each other. Yes there is evil in the world too, but that does not detract from the good in the world. The basis of our laws are drawn from the same laws set down by God in the Ten Commandments and developed through Jesus’ teaching. Look at the way lives have been changed, the miracles that occur and the commitment of Christian all around the world.

So what does that mean for me, as a Christian in 2026. The visibility of God makes me secure in the knowledge that I am loved by our eternal Lord and Saviour who has a plan for me. At the same time, I recognise that I am bound in that commitment to be Christlike (to the best of my ability) and am part of God’s visibility on Earth whether I am preaching, praying or just living life, I need to exude God in all that I do.

As we enter the August period for our Churches and we move to a weekly ABC Communion service, it gives us all chance to come together in five of the seven churches, with one service taking place in each of the five parishes to build our church community. I hope and pray that we are increasingly demonstrating God’s visibility in our lives. Although I will be away for three of the Sunday’s in August I hope to meet up with as many of you on the services I can attend. To finish, I remind you of the two lines of the first verse of the hymn I started with:

most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

As Christians we serve a mighty God, let us remember who is at the centre of our lives and what is important.

God Bless

Alan (LLM)

Pray for …

• A growing closeness of our Churches and the villages we serve (Acaster Malbis, Appleton Roebuck, Acaster Selby, Askham Bryan, Bolton Percy, Colton, Copmanthorpe) and all that God has in store for us, moving forward together.
• Christians in our communities and around the world engaged in continuing the work of Jesus, however big or small.
• Those who will struggle with caring responsibilities (particularly for those with Children) over the school holiday period

Give thanks for …

• The Reverand Geoff Mumford, who returns from his holiday. We hope he is refreshed and rested
• A time of holiday for many, time to spend with loved ones and opportunity rest and relaxation
• The continued commitment of our church communities