I suppose it is because some Christians don't want to be offensive that they seem hesitant to disclose the name of God. They prefer terms like "a higher power," or the "the man upstairs" instead of God or Jesus. I appreciate their trying to be sensitive to those who might not believe in God -- though I notice that people of other religions don't hesitate to identify their deity.

The idea behind this vague reference to God seems to be that His name and His nature don't matter. What matters is just that one believes. That's all.

Actually that is very deceptive. Who God is makes all the difference. It determines the way in which He calls us to approach Him, and what kind of relationship we can enjoy with him.

The fourth chapter of John's Gospel relates the story of a Samaritan woman who met Jesus at Jacob's old well. In the midst of their conversation Jesus told her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." She thought He was a just a traveler, although unusually kind and strange for a Jew. If she had known He was the Messiah she would have been enjoying the opportunity to drink from the river from heaven rather than being suspicious of Him. She would have been asking for the life she had longed for rather than questioning Him about Samaritan theology.

When people believe God is angry, they try to avoid His wrath. When they believe He is distant, they live in loneliness. When they view Him as mostly a judge, they try to do good and hide or justify their failures. When they see Him as a boss, they try to perform for blessings and curry His favor. But when they have seen Him as the loving Savior, they rejoice in admitting to being a sinner. Only the sinner qualifies.

I can remember when I first saw this about God. I had tried to qualify for His pleasure, earn His favor; gain His blessings, be a good person. But I knew I was a sham at best. Good deeds didn't erase my guilt or shame. But when I understood who God really was, I knew at last I qualified for something: I was eligible for grace.

The righteous (whoever they might have been) did not need him. The strong were doing fine. Even with all my effort, though, I knew I was neither righteous nor strong.

When I came face to face with God's true nature, I was astounded. He came for me! He had more mercy than I had sin! He had more grace than I had weakness! I could never drain the resources of His love. I wanted to run toward Him. I wanted to know Him. I wanted live with Him. I was free from trying to make points because I realized He wasn't keeping score.

Don't settle for relying on your faith in some nebulous higher power. Refuse to let vague snapshots or previous impressions of God serve as your perspective of Him. He has revealed himself fully in His Son, and His Spirit will open your eyes to see Him when you ask. If you knew the one who today is confronting you, you would ask and He would give.