If you look carefully at the painting, you notice that the finger of God is extended toward the man with great vigor.
He twists his body to move it as close to the man as possible.
His head is turned toward the man, and his gaze is fixed on him.
God’s arm is stretched out, his index finger is extended straight forward; every muscle is taut.
Before Michelangelo, art scholars say, the standard paintings of creation showed God standing on the ground, in effect helping Adam to his feet.
Not here.
This God is rushing toward Adam on a cloud, one of the “chariots of heaven,” propelled by the angels.
It is as if even in the midst of the splendor of creation, God’s entire being is wrapped up in his impatient desire to close the gap between himself and this man.
He can’t wait.
His hand comes within a hairbreadth of the man’s hand.
The painting is traditionally called The Creation of Adam, but some scholars say it should be called The Endowment of Adam.
Adam has already been given physical life – his eyes are open, and he is conscious.
What is happening is that he is being offered life with God.
“All of man’s potential, physical and spiritual, is contained in this one timeless moment,” writes one art critic.
Apparently one of the message that Michelangelo wanted to convey is God’s implacable determination to reach out to and be with the person he has created.
God is as close as he can be.
But having come that close, he allows just a little space, so that Adam can choose.
He waits for Adam to make his move.
Adam is more difficult to interpret.
His arm is partially extended toward God, but his body reclines in a lazy pose, leaning backward as if he has no interest at all in making a connection.
Maybe he assumes that God, having come this far, will close the gap.
Maybe he is indifferent to the possibility of touching his creator.
Maybe he lacks the strength.
All he would have to do is lift a finger.
This picture reminds us: God is closer than we think.
He is never farther than a prayer away.
All it takes is the barest effort, the lift of a finger.
The story of the Bible isn’t primarily about the desire of people to be with God; it’s the desire of God to be with people.
Taken from the book God is closer than you think by John Ortberg.
