Pondering God (A Five Minute Focus)

Reflecting on God's Attributes

If you could draw a picture of God, what would he look like? We all have our own “picture” of God. But is it a correct picture? Does it show the characteristics and attributes of the God of the Bible? A mother needed to finish some work but was distracted by her young son. She gave the boy some markers and paper and encouraged him to draw her somethng. He began to draw while she was busy working. After a while, she asked the boy what he was drawing. “I’m drawing a picture of God,” he answered. “No one knows what God looks like,” she replied. “They will when I’m done!” he exclaimed.

Praising God for One Attribute Each Day

We may not know what God LOOKS like, but we do know what God IS like. His word communicates his attributes - what he is like. Knowing his attributes allows us to praise him more because we know him more. I want to encourage you to reflect upon God’s attributes daily. A good way to do this is to begin your devotional/quiet time each day by focusing on one attribute of God. Reflect upon that attribute, what it communicates about who God is, and what it personally means to you. This is how I begin my time with God each day.

To keep track of praising God for his attributes, I have made a reflection tool with one of God’s attributes (with supporting scripture) for each day of the month. On that day, I reflect on the specific attribute in my devotional time. It took some time to develop this reflection tool, but it was well worth it, as it allows me to systematically reflect and praise God for a different attribute each day. I use an app called “Upnote” as a control center for my life. It can be organized into various notebooks and sub-notebooks for keeping track of almost anything. I have a notebook that I have named “Daily Formation.” It houses my journal, prayer requests, and the information for my daily time with God. In it, I have a “Reflecting on God” sub-notebook where I have listed thirty attributes of God - one attribute for each day of the month. Below is a screenshot from Upnote with of today’s attribute.

If you would like to see a post on my complete “devotional organizational strategy,” mention your request in the comments section below. If I get enough comments, I will do a series on it.

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Five-Minute Attribute Praise

Another way to praise God for his attributes is to take a five-minute pause during the day and focus on an attribute of God. If you do what I suggest above, this becomes easy. You have already reflected on and praised God for an attribute that morning. Now, reflect on it during the day. Using my list, today’s attribute is that “God is Gracious.” As you drive, eat lunch, walk down the hallway, etc., reflect on how gracious God has been to you. Thank him for being so gracious. This keeps you “practicing the presence of God” throughout the day.

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I hope this post has been helpful in communicating another way of praising our Lord. May your days ahead be guided by his purpose, presence, and power.