“Who” God Is - To Me
Karen (ZuZu) Armes

Like others, I too have searched for God.
 
I’ve searched for answers to where I came from, who created me, and why I am here on Earth.
 
The Creator - God - The Great Spirit - Heavenly Father - The Devine Source -
Is spoken about in all languages.
Is talked about in stories shared by all faiths.
Is witnessed to by miracles in all religions, sects, and walks of life.
Is written about in texts and scriptures, journal entries and books, by faithful men and women which
are recorded, interpreted, translated and shared by billions.
 
With so much written and shared, you would think my personal quest to find the-true-religion or find the-true-God would be easy.
 
Yet, it has been hard to find any one religion or group that does not separate amongst themselves and others. There are always those who are “saved”, “blessed”, or ranking higher in the “kingdom” than others around them. And for me, my own belief is that anything that separates us does not unify us. How can we be one if we are judging others in any way?
 
I have never felt love from someone who judges or separates themselves from me. I do not feel love from those who judge me for what I believe or do not believe, how I pray, the foods I eat, people I love, or the clothes I wear.
 
Yet, many people do believe in a God who judges, segregates, separates, groups together or qualifies one over another for inheritance to His glory.
 
I too once thought that way, held “standards” as to what I “accepted” as right. But for me, who God is has changed, and I find myself becoming more curious, not judgmental.
 
As my beliefs are based on what I know, and what I know changes with my experiences, my thoughts on God naturally changed.
 
From the Catholic teachings of my family parish, fascinating world religion classes in college, LDS influence from decades of past attendance, reading many books of scripture and the teachings of
other great world religious leaders, I now believe that religion and understanding God comes from the experience of living life, and looking inward, not outward, for understanding.
 
Stories (fiction and non-fiction), teachings, and a vast array of emotions have been used for centuries to influence others. Like billions, I too have been influenced by these, and have had spiritual experiences that have left me changed. I am deeply thankful for those moments of
awakened understanding and inward change.
 
I feel close to divinity. 

 
Many people can share with you who they believe God is.
 
However, after raising many personalities (children), living among and loving a variety of cultures and people, and visiting other countries, I have my own inner belief on who God truly is, and, who God is not.
 
I’d like to share with you who I believe God is not.
 
God is not racist
God is not greedy
God is not deceitful
God is not untruthful
God is not monolinguist
God is not hateful
God is not controlling
God is not disloyal
God is not prejudice
God is not easy offended
God is not bitter
God is not accusing
God is not manipulative
God is not loud
God is not fearful
God is not prideful
God is not dishonest
God is not rude
God is not selfish
God is not stingy
God is not vain
And,
God is not distant.
 
His presence is in the breeze, animals, insects, plants, trees, waters, mountains, rocks, me, and in you.
 
After years of being told to be like Him, it has become my desire to also be what He is not. Then, perhaps, I will know Him even better.
 
And, if I am truly created in His image, I will then better know myself.
 
Although I have immense gratitude and respect for all religions and faiths, today I practice the religion of LOVE.
 
Love
Others
Value
Everyone
 
I am still practicing, and it may be a religion of one, but it is where my heart has led me.