Who God Is versus Where God Is

I've encountered this conception of God countless times over the years, a perspective that isn't as much about who God is as where God is. I've heard people pray and ask God to be with them; I've heard songs inviting God to come near; I've heard a good event described as a God thing - all of these undergirded by the subtle yet powerful belief that God is somewhere else and then comes here to this world from time to time to do God sorts of things.

The problem with this as one's only conception of God is that it raises questions about when and where and why God chooses to act.

Or not act.

- Rob Bell, What We Talk About When We Talk About God