When most children see a bumblebee buzzing in the backyard, they run in terror. My son, Seth, on the other hand, actually tries to engage a bee in friendly conversation. What could possibly turn a kid into a “bee whisperer”?
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld wrote, produced, and voiced the lead character in the film, “Bee Movie,” back in 2007. It was an animated flick about a honeybee named Barry who wasn’t thrilled he had to devote his whole life to producing honey. As the movie unfolded, Barry broke one of the cardinal laws of his species when he talked to a human named Vanessa — voiced by Renée Zellweger.
“Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”
When “Bee Movie” came out on DVD, my children watched it repeatedly. As a result, Seth (three years old at the time) decided to strike up a conversation with a bumblebee that visited our front yard.
My wife, Heather, and I weren’t present for that conversation — but within moments we got the eyewitness report that it did not go well. With eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed, our toddler stomped into the kitchen and declared: “That bee … He not talk to me!”
I could certainly understand his frustration. How many children’s movies take things from the physical world and give them the traits of personhood? Look at the toys in “Toy Story” or the vehicles in “Cars.” All the characters move about, make choices, and experience feelings — just like people.
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As rational adults, we know humorous honeybees and talking toys aren’t real. Personality is something we give them for entertainment value. But the deeper question is: Have humans done the same thing with God? Does God really possess personality, or have we ascribed it to Him for our own benefit? How can we be certain God is more than an invisible force or some impersonal cosmic power? What proof does the Bible give us that God is really “someone” we can know?
1.) God has incredible intellect. Since God is an eternal spirit, He does not have a body (John 4:24). However, God still possesses all the necessary characteristics of personhood, beginning with intellect. People rave about the intellects of Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson — but who are they compared to God!
Only a God with infinite intelligence could design human DNA, the planetary orbits, the water cycle, the bat’s radar, the skin of a banana. With scripture we must exclaim, “Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). Personality starts with intellect — and God has the most astonishing intellect in the universe. He is the most knowledgeable person you could ever meet.
2.) God has genuine emotions. Someone once said, “Emotions make us human.” But it isn’t only human beings who have emotions. God possesses them, too. Scripture says God is angry with the wicked (Psalms 7:11) and He hates all kinds of sin (Proverbs 6:16).
He grieves over evil (Genesis 6:5-6), and He laughs at rebels who think they can overthrow Him (Psalms 2:4). At the same time, God shows incredible love (John 3:16) and fatherly compassion (Psalms 103:13). Best of all, He feels joy when sinners turn to Him in repentance (Luke 15:7). One person always understands exactly what you are feeling — and that is God. He knows every emotion!
3.) God has a definite will. “Should we go to Applebee’s? Burger King? Maybe get Chinese food instead?” We all have that one friend who can’t seem to make a decision. God doesn’t have that problem. His decision-making power is absolutely perfect. He knows what to do in every time, place, or situation. The Bible teaches us, in fact, that God is bringing His exact purposes and plans to pass in this world (Isaiah 46:10) and the whole universe (Ephesians 1:11). When faced with big choices, many people freeze up. But not God. He decides and gets things done.
4.) God has the ability to relate. Since God possesses all the trademark characteristics of personhood — intellect, emotions, and will — this means we can enter into a real relationship with Him. In other words, we can know Him. Now, because He is infinite and we are finite, there is no way we can know Him exhaustively. Yet the Bible still promises we can know Him genuinely.
God himself says, “But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:24). Out of all the personal relationships we could develop in this life, none is better than a relationship with God!
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Life is full of important questions, but these two continually rise to the surface: “Is there a God?” and “Can I know Him?” Thankfully, the Bible answers “yes” to both questions. God is alive and we can truly know Him. While He already knows you, the most encouraging truth is that you can come to know Him through Christ, now and for eternity (John 17:3).
Since God is a real person, isn’t it about time you started talking with Him regularly? Open your Bible, reignite that relationship, and exercise your lips in earnest prayer. It’s a lot more satisfying than bantering with a bumblebee.
Pastor Ryan Day is senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, where he has served for 18 years. He is a regular contributor to LifeZette.
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