There is no other god like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love. You will be merciful once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea! You will show your faithfulness and constant love to your people, as you promised ancestors long ago. 

— Micah 7:18-20

The prophet Micah sings God’s praises through multiple images or characteristics he found in God. He seems to name mercy as God’s specialty. Other Old Testament prophets identify steadfast love and faithfulness as God’s area of expertise. Moses might have said God specializes in deliverance and paying special attention to hearing the cries of God’s people. Isaiah was particular to God’s ability to make new possibilities out of old, dead end circumstances.

Then Jesus came along opening the eyes of humanity to a new understanding. He preached about God’s kingdom that was an ever-widening circle which emphasized inclusiveness and an extravagant love. 

There’s an old Gloria Griffin gospel song that begins with these lyrics: 

Have you any rivers

That seem uncrossable?

And have you any mountain

That you cannot tunnel through?

God specializes

In things thought impossible

And He will do what no other

No other power but holy power can do.

Throughout my pastoral career, I have met many people with wide varieties of images of God and what they believe God is particularly specializing in to them. Some lean toward an Old Testament version of judgment and mercy. Some lean toward a New Testament version of steadfast love and grace. Most are somewhere in between. And then there are those who just aren’t sure. Some will even say the image changes as life changes around them.

But maybe that’s the point. God is not confined to one specific role and one place in our life. God is there for us for what we need most in that particular moment. Maybe we need some accountability for wayward decisions. Maybe we need more grace when we are trying to find our way back. Maybe we need God to hear our cries for healing and wholeness in times of brokenness or grief. Maybe we need to feel welcomed and included when we are pushed out to the margins. No matter which, God is there, it’s God’s specialty. 

This Lenten season is intended to be a time of spiritual introspection and reflection on your relationship with God. Take this time to heart and may God bless you with whatever you need most in this moment.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Todd Hackman is senior pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.