When a baby is born, he is only interested in what people do for him. Crying gets him food, a fresh diaper, or whatever he needs, and he doesn’t care who provides it. As the child grows older, he learns that different people have different personalities, and he has favorite friends who have attributes he likes, but often the favorites are also the most generous with the toys. As an adult, one would expect he would be choosing his friends based on their characters, not on what they can give him. Maturity turns a recipient into a relationship.

Of course, the Bible (and our own lives) testifies to all the wonderful works that God does. But still, He is the “I AM.” His works are a result of His character: He is creative, so He creates. He is love, so He forgives. He is just, so He disciplines.

When God doesn’t “do” for us, we sometimes question His attributes. “If God really loved me, would He let this happen to me?” Spouses die from cancer, children are abused, feelings are hurt. That’s the time we have to get past our childish belief that God is the great Doer, and get to know His real character. Then we can learn, “I know God loves me, even if I don’t know understand why this bad circumstance happened.”

Listen to your prayers (if you pray at all!). How much of your prayer time is spent asking for God to do something for you or someone else? How much is spent listening to what HE has to say? It’s not wrong to ask for things, but if that is the only purpose to your prayers, then it’s time to start getting to know God better for Himself, the great “I AM.” Then your thanksgiving (for His deeds) can move into real worship (of His character). His presence is even more satisfying than His gifts.