Believe Quote by Sue Monk Kidd
“In recent years my understanding of God had evolved into increasingly remote abstractions. I'd come to think of God in terms like Divine Reality, the Absolute, or the One who holds us in being. I do believe that God is beyond any form and image, but it has grown clear to me that I need an image in order to relate. I need an image in order to carry on an intimate conversation with what is so vast, amorphous, mysterious, and holy that it becomes ungraspable. I mean, really, how to you become intimate with Divine Reality? Or the Absolute?”
About This Quote
The speaker sees God as an abstract, for reality that feels too vast for personal connection, so she seeks a concrete image to make intimacy possible.
In simple terms: Abstract divinity feels distant; an image makes it relatable.
Key Takeaway
Human need for tangible symbols to relate to the ineffable.
Themes
spirituality
symbolism
human experience
theology
Mood
reflective
longing
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- artistic representation of the divine
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
the limits of abstraction
psychology of belief
Practical Applications
- Use visual metaphors in meditation
- Create personal symbols for spiritual practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does a concrete image shape one's perception of the divine?
- Can intimacy with an abstract concept be achieved without visual aids?
A Different Perspective
Relying on images may reduce the mystery that inspires awe and can lead to idolatry.
