if you watch the news it seems the world is on a downward spiral toward distraction. however, hardly ever is good news reported on. Human nature finds it easier to have faith in the bad news rather than the good. Fear is actually faith or hope in reverse.
You hear about the racism, broken relationships, murder, robbery, injustice and hate in the world. But for each instance of these, there is the other side, how many times have people worked together inclusively with no regard to race or differences this week? How many relationships bloomed or celebrated longevity? How many lives have been saved? how many times has someone given to someone in need? How many times has right been done for victims? How many times has Love been demonstrated to someone who needed it? We do not hear about these but they do exist and happen very often, though unreported.
Now, I am a realist, and I know this world can be a dangerous place, but I choose to not live my life in fear, only aware. I am not suggesting a natively way of living or a denial of reality. That would not be faith but delusion. However I am saying that these is a force for Good in this world that shows itself as Loving and for our good. For me this is who God is.
There are a lot of definitions for God. As many as there are people. But for me, there is only one that is necessary- God is Love! This revelation of God trumps all limiting and conflicting definitions of God. I do not get bogged down with petty arguments or personal interpretation of scriptures with people. Your god may be jealous, judgmental and have a grudge to settle. He may be hateful and enjoy punishing the wicked. However this god that many ascribe to, is not Love and actually has some major anger management issues.
My God, who I might say, has defined himself or herself (God has no gender) by demonstrating Love to me at the most unexplainable times. Times when I thought for sure I deserved a more harsh treatment, God was loving, caring and present. So religion has come too late to tell me God is anything other than love. Many of the attributes religion places on god, does not describe God but describes humankind at its worst. Their brand of god, neither deserves worship or commitment.
Some would ask, what about scripture? It reveals a God that is not just love. Well scripture is a revelation of humankind's evolution of understanding the divine. I love the Bible, but I do not worship it, and I recognize it is only as perfect as the people who penned it. If all we needed was the Old revelation of who God is, then there would have been no need for Christ. Christ came to set the record straight and reveal the true nature of God.
God has gotten a bad wrap and religion has done God a major disservice by propagating bad news, instead of the Good News that Christ commissioned her to preach.
With all of that said, when I understand God as Love and Good and that His/Her plan for me is for my good (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28) then I can trust that in this flow of goodness in my life. I can look forward with hope and surrender to Life instead of living a life of resisting it.
Living a life of surrender means first accepting things for how they are. Then taking responsibility for our part of what we can do about it. Then trust (surrender) that the Grace and wisdom for God to do what we can't do for ourselves. This is a life of faith and this kind of surrendered life brings about Peace, Joy and a restfulness that enables one to enjoy life and enjoy it to the full. (John 10:10). We either live in a way where the joy of life is stolen from us daily or its Joy is revealed daily. I endeavor to choose the latter. It doesn't come natural to me, but I am not called to live simply naturally, I am more than that and so are you!
Peace!
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