Quakers Talking about God

The way Quakers talk about God can seem very mystifying. There are an increasing number claiming to be non-theists. Some are "open-minded about the possibility," whilst a considerable number are more pro-active, describing themselves as seeking. It is not unusual for those at our Meeting to to call themselves names such as "Humanist-Quakers" just as our surnames have tendency to become double-barrelled! At times Quakers talk in quite an alarming way about the " evidence for some Higher Being" as if this higher being should be placed at an only slightly higher level to themselves.

When I first came to Meeting it was disconcerting to hear so much talk about "The Light." At the time I was having considerable problems with my eyes due to light-sensitivity so light could be quite painful. There were also power-cuts so we had candles at hand for times when lights would quite unexpectedly go out. It seemed even then that the terms Quakers use to describe God could be misleading.

Quakers sometimes speak of "being held in the Light" This still reminds me of a cat basking on a window-sill which must be a very relaxing, warm and comfortable experience. There would seem enough evidence to suggest however that God does not require us to have a relaxing, warm, comfortable experience all the time. A cure for seasonal affective disorder, perhaps all forms of depression only goes a very small part of the way if we are going to be honest about God.
Light however should not be underestimated. It has many attributes. Besides providing warmth, light also allows us to grow, so no wonder Quakers are always changing and modifying their belief. To me the process of shedding light on a matter is of particular importance. It would seem we have been given our intellect and abilities for a reason. There should be no conflict between our minds and our faith. Like the Old Testament prophet Jacob, we are supposed to wrestle with angels because through the struggle to discover truth, our awareness of God's power will grow.

Quakers seem very good at finding short cuts.We use the terms "Love" and "Peace" a lot to describe God. Although unquestionably attributes of God these observations should not detract from an understanding that love and the ability to work for peace should be our attributes too.
At times it may be very helpful to look at the practices of other faiths. For example, the Muslim rosary has 99 beads, one for each name of Allah as found in the Koran. This aid to prayer is called the subha, meaning "to exalt. I find the names of Allah very beautiful so will put in a link for you to also be inspired by. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Islam 

It is reassuring to me that throughout the Old Testament no one has ever been expected to understand God. When Moses enquired he was told simply that "I am who I am." It was expected simply that mankind should to do the will of God, conveyed for the safety and well-being of mankind through the Ten Commandments.
From whatever our starting point it would seem to me that the search for God begins with a proper understanding of ourselves, a process that involves honestly, humility, a sense of wonder, and then listening out for God.