Greetings!
This week's quote comes from A Course In Miracles" It reads:
I am here only to be truly helpful.
I am here to represent Him Who sent me.
I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.
[As you read today's blog I invite you to play the song below as inspiration.]
We never know when Spirit is going to reach out and touch our soul. Sometimes it's with the loving words of a friend or teacher. Other times we are inspired by written words on the page. For me I'm most often surprised by Spirit's touch through music.
Yesterday as I scampered about doing Saturday errands, Luther Vandross's "Dance with my Father Again" came forth on my car stereo. I found myself pulling over and
"just listening". Why this song? Why is it touching me so now - I've heard it over a thousand times. Why today? I heard myself say allowed: "It's Mother's Day after all." Then I remembered Mother's Day is May 9th. May 9th is also my Father's Birthday.
From time to time Mother's Day falls on his birthday and when it does I become particularly thankful for the gifts both of my parents gave to me. You see I never lived with my Father. After being married to my mother for over twenty years - he'd had enough. Not enough of her or our family - but enough of not knowing who he was. I'm sure he would have left sooner, but then - surprise - I came along.
My brother, while not even 12-years-old, took up the role of surrogate father for me. He did an admirable job of it. When he was old enough to drive our car trips were to visit "our" father. I adored this man that he called our dad. He was kind, compassionate, funny and very engaging. When you were in his company he made you feel welcomed and appreciated.
I didn't understand what happened between my Mother and Father. As a little boy I would stand outside her bedroom door and hear her sobbing for him. I couldn't reconcile how that nice guy, that I had met on these trips with my brother, could have hurt her so badly. My brother went away to college and my Father moved to Florida. For the most part my Father was not present in my life. Life went on - but from time to time I would dream of him - those early days and him holding me as we'd dance around in his living room. I didn't know why he didn't love her anymore, but I was certain as to why she loved him.
2010 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of my ordination as a Religious Science Minister. During that time the most inspirational moment came when I had the the opportunity to speak at my Father's funeral. I didn't know what to say. I prayed, wrote, and pondered. I kept asking Spirit to guide me. I was inspired to use the title "The Gifts of My Father".
What gifts? The gifts from a man that I probably never saw more than 20 times in my entire life? Then today's quote was the quote I had read the morning of his funeral. "I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me."
As I took the podium and looked out to the friends and family before me - it was all revealed. They were the gifts of my Father. Without my father I would have never known the love of my brother; my brother's family and their families. Without the gift of life given to me by my father, I would not have known the love of my mother. I would have never have known the love of my friends, and those that I've shared this incredible spiritual journey with. My God, but the gifts of my father were magnicient. Ah to dance with this man once again.
The gifts my parents are tremendous. From my Father I have my sense of humor, my ability to be engaging, compassionate and passionate. From my Mother I have received the gifts of loving, self respect, loyalty, and a willingness to go for it. So today, this day of May 9th that honors each of them; I trust that since they've both made their transition, that now their spirits have reconciled and she has had the opportunity to dance with my Father once again.
Today I give thanks for a wonderfully magnificent life. I know that I was sent by Him, but I'm forever thankful that it was "through them" that I came to be.
Thank you Mother and Dad. - Rev. Jack
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Enlightenment Surrounds You - Just Go!
Greetings Everyone! This week's lesson comes from the Teaching of Buddha as scribed by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai.
"Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them. They must open wide the gates of their minds for Buddha (my word: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
Each day, as I prepare to meditate, I ask Spirit to guide me to the book, author, page, affirmation or even prayer, that is to serve as my inspiration for meditation that day. After I've read - what I've been called to read, I light the candle on my "prayer wheel" . The prayer wheel is a small silver dish with a niche for a small votive candle in it's center. Surrounding the candle are the words that I begin my meditation with.
"The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The Presence of God watches over you. The Power of God protects you. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. "
After saying these words aloud, I fall silent and focus on the flickering flame. I allow thoughts of the words on my prayer wheel to clear my mind of the normal "chatter". And then I ask Spirit to show me what it is that I'm to learn from earlier lesson. (The reading I was guided to read.)
Then I listen.
I listen to my breath. As I inhale I say to myself "Wisdom in". As I exhale I say "Excess out". Soon I will have stopped talking and I will start to hear "me speak to me." Spirit using my own voice to speak to me - Enlightening me.
So today, I invite you to try it. I invite you to meditate, pray, treat, get centered and allow yourself to be Enlightened. I will share with you a small reading. Once you've read it - be silent and ask yourself - "What is Spirit guiding me to learn from this lesson?" Enlightenment is all around you. Go get it! Give it away to others and Get use to surrounding yourself with gladness. Here's the story:
"Once there was a boy named Sudhana who also wished for Enlightenment and earnestly sought the way. From a fisherman he learned the lore of the sea. From a doctor he learned compassion toward sick people in their suffering. From a wealthy man he learned that saving pennies was the secret of his fortune and thought how necessary it was to conserve every trifling gained on the path to Enlightenment.
From a meditating monk he learned that the pure and peaceful mind had a miraculous power to purify and tranquilize other minds. Once he met a woman of exceptional personality and was impressed by her benevolent spirit, and from her he learned a lesson that charity was the fruit of wisdom. Once he met an aged wanderer who told him that to reach a certain place he had to scale a mountain of swords and pass through a valley of fire. Thus Sudhana learned from his experiences that there was true teaching to be gained from everything he saw or heard.
He learned patience from a poor, crippled woman; he learned a lesson of simple happiness from watching children playing in the street; and from some gentle and humble people, who never thought of wanting anything that anybody else wanted, he learned the secret of living at peace with all the world.
He learned a lesson of harmony from watching the blending of the elements of incense, and a lesson thanksgiving from the arrangement of flowers. One day, passing through a forest, he took a rest under a noble tree and noticed a tiny seedling growing near by out of a fallen and decaying tree and it taught him a lesson of the uncertainty of life.
Sunlight by day and the twinkling stars by night constantly refreshed his spirit. Thus Sudhana profited by the experiences of his long journey.
Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them, They must open wide the gates for their minds for Buddha (my words: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
[The Teaching of Buddha; Kyokai; "The Way of Practical Attainment - Lesson #9; pages 318-322]
"Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them. They must open wide the gates of their minds for Buddha (my word: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
Each day, as I prepare to meditate, I ask Spirit to guide me to the book, author, page, affirmation or even prayer, that is to serve as my inspiration for meditation that day. After I've read - what I've been called to read, I light the candle on my "prayer wheel" . The prayer wheel is a small silver dish with a niche for a small votive candle in it's center. Surrounding the candle are the words that I begin my meditation with.
"The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The Presence of God watches over you. The Power of God protects you. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. Wherever you are, God is. "
After saying these words aloud, I fall silent and focus on the flickering flame. I allow thoughts of the words on my prayer wheel to clear my mind of the normal "chatter". And then I ask Spirit to show me what it is that I'm to learn from earlier lesson. (The reading I was guided to read.)
Then I listen.
I listen to my breath. As I inhale I say to myself "Wisdom in". As I exhale I say "Excess out". Soon I will have stopped talking and I will start to hear "me speak to me." Spirit using my own voice to speak to me - Enlightening me.
So today, I invite you to try it. I invite you to meditate, pray, treat, get centered and allow yourself to be Enlightened. I will share with you a small reading. Once you've read it - be silent and ask yourself - "What is Spirit guiding me to learn from this lesson?" Enlightenment is all around you. Go get it! Give it away to others and Get use to surrounding yourself with gladness. Here's the story:
"Once there was a boy named Sudhana who also wished for Enlightenment and earnestly sought the way. From a fisherman he learned the lore of the sea. From a doctor he learned compassion toward sick people in their suffering. From a wealthy man he learned that saving pennies was the secret of his fortune and thought how necessary it was to conserve every trifling gained on the path to Enlightenment.
From a meditating monk he learned that the pure and peaceful mind had a miraculous power to purify and tranquilize other minds. Once he met a woman of exceptional personality and was impressed by her benevolent spirit, and from her he learned a lesson that charity was the fruit of wisdom. Once he met an aged wanderer who told him that to reach a certain place he had to scale a mountain of swords and pass through a valley of fire. Thus Sudhana learned from his experiences that there was true teaching to be gained from everything he saw or heard.
He learned patience from a poor, crippled woman; he learned a lesson of simple happiness from watching children playing in the street; and from some gentle and humble people, who never thought of wanting anything that anybody else wanted, he learned the secret of living at peace with all the world.
He learned a lesson of harmony from watching the blending of the elements of incense, and a lesson thanksgiving from the arrangement of flowers. One day, passing through a forest, he took a rest under a noble tree and noticed a tiny seedling growing near by out of a fallen and decaying tree and it taught him a lesson of the uncertainty of life.
Sunlight by day and the twinkling stars by night constantly refreshed his spirit. Thus Sudhana profited by the experiences of his long journey.
Indeed, those who seek for Enlightenment must think of their minds as castles and decorate them, They must open wide the gates for their minds for Buddha (my words: Spirit) and respectfully and humbly invite Him to enter the inmost chamber, there to offer Him the fragrant incense of Faith and the flowers of gratitude and gladness."
[The Teaching of Buddha; Kyokai; "The Way of Practical Attainment - Lesson #9; pages 318-322]
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Manifesting a Life That Works Means Embracing and Evoking Change
From Rev. Jack
Since 2009 is all about Embracing Change, I am committed to evoking positive change in each aspect of my life.
I’m committed to doing only those things that bring me joy and to keep my attention on my intention. It is my intention to teach people how to have a life that works. My vision is to preach, teach and write.
It is my intention to preach the laws of thought; the concept that we all live in a Spiritual Universe that God is in, through, around and for us! I’m committed to writing about how our “values” guide us, shape us and are life right now is the perfect manifestation of our values.
I know and accept that if I am to live a life that works and if I am to keep my “attention on my Intention”. I also know and accept that there are “to-dos” that must be fulfilled. If I do the work, things will move along and I will experience the joy in each and everything I manifest – my life will work!
Rev. Andriette Earl (Heart and Soul Center of Light) teaches us that each morning when we awake we should choose to see the new day as a “clean canvas”. We can create this new day in any way we want to experience it. She suggests that we are to imagine that we’re painting it the way that we want it to be, regardless of the impressions (sketches – pencil marks – imprints – paint strokes) left from the day before. If we don’t like how it looks, paint over it. What an amazing metaphor for Embracing Change.
So I ask you – “What needs to change in your life today? Is there a relationship that you need to see differently?” If yes, how would you have it? How would you depict that relationship on a clean canvas? Visualize how you would want it to be; reflecting on how you will “feel” when the new image does indeed manifest in your life. Now claim it! Let your mantra be: “My life with ____________ works!”
Each and every moment today, when you sense, feel, experience that the relationship with this other person is changing, or demonstrating to you that the relationship is moving toward your vision, say “thank you”. If you don’t experience such a shift - claim it anyway. Then check in with your inner self to make sure that you are “mirroring” how you want to experience this relationship. Choose peace. Choose calm. Choose to see the other person as whole and complete and be patient. Let Spirit intercede and then listen. Listen for Spirit to guide you as to which of your “values” need to be adjusted so that you can have a life that works and that this relationship will indeed be healed. Have a wonderful day!
Since 2009 is all about Embracing Change, I am committed to evoking positive change in each aspect of my life.
I’m committed to doing only those things that bring me joy and to keep my attention on my intention. It is my intention to teach people how to have a life that works. My vision is to preach, teach and write.
It is my intention to preach the laws of thought; the concept that we all live in a Spiritual Universe that God is in, through, around and for us! I’m committed to writing about how our “values” guide us, shape us and are life right now is the perfect manifestation of our values.
I know and accept that if I am to live a life that works and if I am to keep my “attention on my Intention”. I also know and accept that there are “to-dos” that must be fulfilled. If I do the work, things will move along and I will experience the joy in each and everything I manifest – my life will work!
Rev. Andriette Earl (Heart and Soul Center of Light) teaches us that each morning when we awake we should choose to see the new day as a “clean canvas”. We can create this new day in any way we want to experience it. She suggests that we are to imagine that we’re painting it the way that we want it to be, regardless of the impressions (sketches – pencil marks – imprints – paint strokes) left from the day before. If we don’t like how it looks, paint over it. What an amazing metaphor for Embracing Change.
So I ask you – “What needs to change in your life today? Is there a relationship that you need to see differently?” If yes, how would you have it? How would you depict that relationship on a clean canvas? Visualize how you would want it to be; reflecting on how you will “feel” when the new image does indeed manifest in your life. Now claim it! Let your mantra be: “My life with ____________ works!”
Each and every moment today, when you sense, feel, experience that the relationship with this other person is changing, or demonstrating to you that the relationship is moving toward your vision, say “thank you”. If you don’t experience such a shift - claim it anyway. Then check in with your inner self to make sure that you are “mirroring” how you want to experience this relationship. Choose peace. Choose calm. Choose to see the other person as whole and complete and be patient. Let Spirit intercede and then listen. Listen for Spirit to guide you as to which of your “values” need to be adjusted so that you can have a life that works and that this relationship will indeed be healed. Have a wonderful day!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Thoughts to Ponder...How to think is to learn how to live.
Have you ever stopped to ponder - just what is prayer?
The Science of Mind teaches us that " A prayer is a movement (flowing) of thought, within the mind of the one praying, along a definite line of meditation; that is for a specific purpose." - SOM p28
Therefore man's thought, falling into - flowing through - his subjective mind, merges with the Universal Mind and becomes the law of his life, through the one great law of all life. How to think is to learn how to live.
Each individual maintains his identity in Law, through his personal use of it. And each is drawing from Life what he thinks into it! SOM p29/30
Therefore, when you pray today - keep your attention on your intention! Pray for a specific "Devine" outcome. Then give your undivided attention to recognizing the answer to your prayer. Claim it as already being so and be greatful for the Life you thought up! - Rev. Jack
The Science of Mind teaches us that " A prayer is a movement (flowing) of thought, within the mind of the one praying, along a definite line of meditation; that is for a specific purpose." - SOM p28
Therefore man's thought, falling into - flowing through - his subjective mind, merges with the Universal Mind and becomes the law of his life, through the one great law of all life. How to think is to learn how to live.
Each individual maintains his identity in Law, through his personal use of it. And each is drawing from Life what he thinks into it! SOM p29/30
Therefore, when you pray today - keep your attention on your intention! Pray for a specific "Devine" outcome. Then give your undivided attention to recognizing the answer to your prayer. Claim it as already being so and be greatful for the Life you thought up! - Rev. Jack
Thursday, August 30, 2007
So What Do You Believe?
Frequently, I’m asked to describe my Spiritual beliefs. And most often, the question is asked in a tone that seems to question my choice to walk both a metaphysical and a more traditional Christian path. Apparently folks would be more comfortable if I “declared” one side or the other. Well that would not be true for me. I’m inspired to chart my own unique path and frequently that has me traveling right down the middle.
But I’ll offer you a little insight as to what I do believe. But don’t follow me — I may change my mind and take you somewhere you don’t want to go!
First off, I start with the one question I most frequently asked, and my somewhat controversial response. “Do you believe in the “literal” word of the Bible?” I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. And, I don’t believe that God stop inspiring when the Revelation 22: verse 21was completed.
To many scholars Revelation is believed to be a book of hope. It teaches that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. Therefore, God gets to create it however God wants to create it! And, since each and everyone one of us is created in the image of God and we each our one with God — we get to create it too! We are co-creators with God.
I believe (and teach) that there is an internal flame that burns deep within each of us and that flame is the source of all of our energy and our connection with all that God intends for us. I call that source/connection, Spirit. Others call it Source, “Limitless Intelligence” or Energy, Divine Power and some call it the Holy Spirit. I believe you call it whatever you feel “called” to call it. Regardless of what it’s called, it is where our inspiration occurs and from that comes a fulfilled life.
Your internal flame (Source) may be ignited from reading the Bible or from reading A Course in Miracles, The Prophecy, or even reading Harry Potter. Spirit will create the catalyst for you to be inspired the moment you demonstrate a willingness to be inspired.
I also believe that we are born with a boundless amount of human potential because of the Divine gift of intelligence that comes from Spirit. We merely need to tap into it! How do we tap into it? We ask it to come forth in all that we do. We may pray it up, or we may declare it up — either way we’re calling it into action — for Divine right action.
I believe that each and everyone one of us is “connected” with one universal God. My internal flame is inspired by your internal flame because they come from the same Source. If we are destined to be connected; then we must strive to live in Unity.
Therefore, it makes sense to me that we should “first seek to understand and then ask to be understood”. Communities that are inclusive, open, kind, and compassionate are healthy environments to thrive in. In the essentials seek unity — in all else – healthy discussion!
I believe that positive thinking is far more useful than negative thinking. Positive thinking produces positive results — negative thinking produces negative results. The Spirit/Source within you — listens to what you say and then delivers. If you are constantly putting yourself down, or apologizing for your existence — then your Source will prove you right. If you want to change your life then change your mind!
I also believe that we need to listen and learn from our emotions and feelings. They are the gauge for modulating our well being. They provide insight into both our consciousness and our unconscious choices.
I also believe that we are all seekers. However, instead of looking “out there” to define who we are — we must look within to know for certain. We have to go within to the internal Source. It is within your own mind that most of your spiritual work is done. Prayer, meditation, and silence are all pathways leading within.
Now that you know what I think, let me know what you think? Let the conversation begin. - Jack
But I’ll offer you a little insight as to what I do believe. But don’t follow me — I may change my mind and take you somewhere you don’t want to go!
First off, I start with the one question I most frequently asked, and my somewhat controversial response. “Do you believe in the “literal” word of the Bible?” I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God. And, I don’t believe that God stop inspiring when the Revelation 22: verse 21was completed.
To many scholars Revelation is believed to be a book of hope. It teaches that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. Therefore, God gets to create it however God wants to create it! And, since each and everyone one of us is created in the image of God and we each our one with God — we get to create it too! We are co-creators with God.
I believe (and teach) that there is an internal flame that burns deep within each of us and that flame is the source of all of our energy and our connection with all that God intends for us. I call that source/connection, Spirit. Others call it Source, “Limitless Intelligence” or Energy, Divine Power and some call it the Holy Spirit. I believe you call it whatever you feel “called” to call it. Regardless of what it’s called, it is where our inspiration occurs and from that comes a fulfilled life.
Your internal flame (Source) may be ignited from reading the Bible or from reading A Course in Miracles, The Prophecy, or even reading Harry Potter. Spirit will create the catalyst for you to be inspired the moment you demonstrate a willingness to be inspired.
I also believe that we are born with a boundless amount of human potential because of the Divine gift of intelligence that comes from Spirit. We merely need to tap into it! How do we tap into it? We ask it to come forth in all that we do. We may pray it up, or we may declare it up — either way we’re calling it into action — for Divine right action.
I believe that each and everyone one of us is “connected” with one universal God. My internal flame is inspired by your internal flame because they come from the same Source. If we are destined to be connected; then we must strive to live in Unity.
Therefore, it makes sense to me that we should “first seek to understand and then ask to be understood”. Communities that are inclusive, open, kind, and compassionate are healthy environments to thrive in. In the essentials seek unity — in all else – healthy discussion!
I believe that positive thinking is far more useful than negative thinking. Positive thinking produces positive results — negative thinking produces negative results. The Spirit/Source within you — listens to what you say and then delivers. If you are constantly putting yourself down, or apologizing for your existence — then your Source will prove you right. If you want to change your life then change your mind!
I also believe that we need to listen and learn from our emotions and feelings. They are the gauge for modulating our well being. They provide insight into both our consciousness and our unconscious choices.
I also believe that we are all seekers. However, instead of looking “out there” to define who we are — we must look within to know for certain. We have to go within to the internal Source. It is within your own mind that most of your spiritual work is done. Prayer, meditation, and silence are all pathways leading within.
Now that you know what I think, let me know what you think? Let the conversation begin. - Jack
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
What God Doesn't Do and What God Will Do
With years of life’s ups and downs comes wisdom. Wisdom births a knowingness based on observation, prayer, intuition and faith as to what God does and what God doesn’t do. As lay people, sometimes we get those two things mixed up.
As a pastor I’m frequently asked: Why would God allow this to happen? The tornadoes in central Florida this past week serve as just such an example. A news reporter asks one survivor why her house was spared, while the house on either side of her was demolished. “God just decided to bless us and allowed our things to be alright.”
While the comment might have generated a collective “ah isn’t that nice” from the viewers at home, I’m sure the neighbor’s living on either side of her, felt a bit perplexed What did God have against them? Were they bad people? Was God punishing them for that bender they went on last Saturday night — I think not. That’s not what God does.
As much as some will not want to hear it, God did not favor the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears in last week’s Super Bowl. God does not have a favorite team.
I’m sure every parent can conjure up a memory of watching their child struggle with a homework assignment. You see the pulling of hair, the tapping of the pencil even those deep sad eyes looking up at you — hoping that you’ll just cave it and give the answer. But you don’t. It’s your job to be the parent, so you allow them to struggle, hoping that they will learn the bigger lesson. Yes, you want them to get the answer, but more importantly, you want them to learn how to find their own answers. — That’s what God does.
You see God gives us free will. God inspires us to use our brain, our talents our gifts to do all the things we want Him to do for us, but because we have this “free will” we get do it all on our own.
God knows we shouldn’t build our houses on a flood zone, but we do anyway. Then the flood comes and we’re mystified that God would allow such a tragedy to happen. “God must be punishing us!” No he isn’t. God doesn’t do that.
God knows we should protect our planet. We have the brain power to eradicate carbon emissions, but our egos like those big SUVs, so we do it anyway. Then when we develop lung disease, asthma and other environmentally developed diseases we once again look to the heavens and say “God why did you allow this to happen?” God didn’t create it, we did.
God didn’t inspire car designers to build beautiful cars that can go from 0 to 60 in 20 seconds because he wanted our children to die driving them. Man did. We took that inspiration and built fast cars because we like excitement. We like the adrenalin rush – we like to have fun….We like this gift of free will — even if it can hurt us.
So we’re clear on what God doesn’t do, so what is it that God does do?
God like that dutiful parent listens with compassion when we pray; “God we do not understand why this accident has happened. There seems to be no sense in the ending of this life — please tell us why?” God does not immediately answer but. . .
God understands that we are puzzled and we are distressed as we come to understand that while we may never know “why” we at least hope and we pray: “God we know of your promise to love all your children, help us to know that your love was never withdrawn form this child that you called home.”
Then in our sorrow we see God in action, we see what God does. God’s inspired word comes to us from clergy, friends, family and others who are there to surround us with love, to help us through. We experience acts of charity in measures that we never dreamed possible. And it’s this demonstration that helps us to realize that there is nothing more powerful than God’s love for our lost child and we know that God was indeed at their side, at there time of transition, even if we couldn’t be there. That’s what God does.
While we understand that God may not give us answers, We trust that He will be there, with us, as we navigate a future without our loved one.
God owns his rightful parental role and listens as we thank Him for the good things in our life and ask forgiveness for those times when we let our loved ones down.
Our healing evolves as we watch God take what has happened and somehow weave it into some loving purpose, so that as a parent that has lost a child we gain the wisdom to know that this child has not lived or died in vain. That’s what God does.
As the sun sets tonight, we are reminded that the darkness does not represent the end, but the beginning of a new day…That’s what God does.
Tag: Rev. Jack Elliott is the Sr. Pastor of Gateway To Hope Christian Church. To reach him about this column, write him at gatewayccpastor@yahoo.com or respond to this blog.
As a pastor I’m frequently asked: Why would God allow this to happen? The tornadoes in central Florida this past week serve as just such an example. A news reporter asks one survivor why her house was spared, while the house on either side of her was demolished. “God just decided to bless us and allowed our things to be alright.”
While the comment might have generated a collective “ah isn’t that nice” from the viewers at home, I’m sure the neighbor’s living on either side of her, felt a bit perplexed What did God have against them? Were they bad people? Was God punishing them for that bender they went on last Saturday night — I think not. That’s not what God does.
As much as some will not want to hear it, God did not favor the Indianapolis Colts over the Chicago Bears in last week’s Super Bowl. God does not have a favorite team.
I’m sure every parent can conjure up a memory of watching their child struggle with a homework assignment. You see the pulling of hair, the tapping of the pencil even those deep sad eyes looking up at you — hoping that you’ll just cave it and give the answer. But you don’t. It’s your job to be the parent, so you allow them to struggle, hoping that they will learn the bigger lesson. Yes, you want them to get the answer, but more importantly, you want them to learn how to find their own answers. — That’s what God does.
You see God gives us free will. God inspires us to use our brain, our talents our gifts to do all the things we want Him to do for us, but because we have this “free will” we get do it all on our own.
God knows we shouldn’t build our houses on a flood zone, but we do anyway. Then the flood comes and we’re mystified that God would allow such a tragedy to happen. “God must be punishing us!” No he isn’t. God doesn’t do that.
God knows we should protect our planet. We have the brain power to eradicate carbon emissions, but our egos like those big SUVs, so we do it anyway. Then when we develop lung disease, asthma and other environmentally developed diseases we once again look to the heavens and say “God why did you allow this to happen?” God didn’t create it, we did.
God didn’t inspire car designers to build beautiful cars that can go from 0 to 60 in 20 seconds because he wanted our children to die driving them. Man did. We took that inspiration and built fast cars because we like excitement. We like the adrenalin rush – we like to have fun….We like this gift of free will — even if it can hurt us.
So we’re clear on what God doesn’t do, so what is it that God does do?
God like that dutiful parent listens with compassion when we pray; “God we do not understand why this accident has happened. There seems to be no sense in the ending of this life — please tell us why?” God does not immediately answer but. . .
God understands that we are puzzled and we are distressed as we come to understand that while we may never know “why” we at least hope and we pray: “God we know of your promise to love all your children, help us to know that your love was never withdrawn form this child that you called home.”
Then in our sorrow we see God in action, we see what God does. God’s inspired word comes to us from clergy, friends, family and others who are there to surround us with love, to help us through. We experience acts of charity in measures that we never dreamed possible. And it’s this demonstration that helps us to realize that there is nothing more powerful than God’s love for our lost child and we know that God was indeed at their side, at there time of transition, even if we couldn’t be there. That’s what God does.
While we understand that God may not give us answers, We trust that He will be there, with us, as we navigate a future without our loved one.
God owns his rightful parental role and listens as we thank Him for the good things in our life and ask forgiveness for those times when we let our loved ones down.
Our healing evolves as we watch God take what has happened and somehow weave it into some loving purpose, so that as a parent that has lost a child we gain the wisdom to know that this child has not lived or died in vain. That’s what God does.
As the sun sets tonight, we are reminded that the darkness does not represent the end, but the beginning of a new day…That’s what God does.
Tag: Rev. Jack Elliott is the Sr. Pastor of Gateway To Hope Christian Church. To reach him about this column, write him at gatewayccpastor@yahoo.com or respond to this blog.
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