God is often referred to as the “Big Guy in the Sky.” When indicating where God lives we will point up into the air. He’s the one up there and out there somewhere beyond the edges of the universe. All the while he is peering down watching over us.
This is how many people view God and with good reason.When Jesus ascended to heaven, he went up into the clouds (see Acts 1:9–11). When Solomon dedicated the temple he prayed to God and asked God to listen from his dwelling place in heaven (see 2 Chronicles 6:21, 30, 33, 39). There are plenty of other places where the heaven is referred to as the residence of God.
But here is where I want to caution you. To refer to God as the “Big Guy in the Sky” implies a separation from us. It indicates that he is out of touch with us. God is indeed holy and almighty. His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are greater than our thoughts (see Isaiah 55:9). But he is more than the “Big Guy in the Sky.”
He is God with Us
It is important to remember that God lives and dwells with his people. Jesus came to remove the divide that existed. Think about John 1:14:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)
Also, think about when Jesus ascended into heaven. He promised:
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
He is Immanuel (see Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23). Immanuel means “God with us!” He’s not God out there; he is God with us. He is a God you can know and God with whom you can have a relationship.
He is God in Us
Jesus gives his Holy Spirit to live in us. Here is what Jesus says:
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16–17 (ESV)
The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us (see Romans 8:11). The powerful working of God is not up and out there. The powerful working of God takes place within us. The greatest miracle is changing the human heart. When you are inclined to worship, to repent, to prayer, or to serve – that is the Spirit of God moving in you.
He is God for Us
The idea of God being the “Big Guy in the Sky” implies that he is indifferent to the plight of people. If he is the “Big Guy in the Sky” it is up to us to clamor for his attention and incline him to help us. But know that God is for you.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (ESV)
He is your greatest advocate. I will go as far to say that God is a greater advocate for you than you are for yourself. God is not off doing his own thing but is actively pursuing your best interests.
One of my favorite Bible stories is Elijah and Prophets of Baal (see 18:20–40). In this story Elijah begins to mock the prophets of Baal when their god does not answer:
And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 1 Kings 18:27 (ESV)
Praise the Lord! Our God is not like that. Our God is not aloof! He is not distracted. He is intimately aware of every breath we take. He knows the number of hairs on our heads (see Matthew 10:28). He is intimately acquainted with you and me. He searches us and knows us (see Psalm 139:1). He is God with us, in us, and for us.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is seeing God as the “Big Guy in the Sky” such a limited view of God?
- Where is the dwelling place of God?
- What does it mean to you that God is “for you?”
- Share your comments.
Cheri says
One of my favorite words in the Bible is abide. It is so comforting to know that God is with us all the time, everywhere we are, every minute of every day.