God is uncreated Spirit and eternal. God is not, nor should God ever be limited or defined by any finite conception we, or anyone else, may have of God. God can only be mediated or revealed to us, generally through material creation, our lives and the lives of others, signs, symbols--including language, images, metaphors, similes, analogies, parables, and the like that may point us towards God's Presence, but are not in and of themselves God.
Most of the descriptors about God have been offered to us by others, such as those we find in scripture, books, writings, religious rituals, teachings and beliefs, or conversations with others, or that we may have discerned or intuited from our own personal experiences or the experiences of others. We may choose to use any of these descriptors or experiences that we find meaningful, to help us to create, form, sustain, or transform the images of "God" we have in our minds. There are images of "God" that we individually have, and images of "God" that religions, cultures, or other groups of people may have or profess to have.
These images are important because they may become part of our worldviews that affect our understanding of reality, about God, our relationship with God, and how we respond in our thoughts, words, and actions. Our images of God are fluid and they can change over time, or as a result of our life experiences, or when we are exposed to new images that are more meaningful or relevant to us. Images can negatively as well as positively affect us. For example, if someone had a very difficult childhood with their own parents, it may be difficult for them to positively view the image of God as a parent figure. Or, alternatively, the image of God as an unconditionally loving parent may fill the void created by the absence of our own parent. Our images of God can also affect the image we have of ourselves and others, since we are all created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27). We must be careful, however, not to project the images of a "God" our finite minds may desire or create, as being the same as the Infinite and Ultimate God who is the Mystery at the depth of all reality.
What are some of the images you have created of God, or have allowed others to create for you? How do the cultural groups to which you belong influence your images of God? Do you live your life in accordance with these images? How have these images affected, whether positively or negatively, your relationships with God, with others, with yourself, and with the world around you? Do these images lead you towards experiencing a life full of love, truth, goodness, joy and beauty? If not, do you think it is time for you to seek to evaluate or change your images of God? Are you willing to humbly surrender and allow the Spirit to transform your mind and heart to provide you with images that will help to lead you to more loving and abundant relationships with God, with yourself, with others, and with all of creation?