Walking With the Universe

Where does your help come from?

Suppose it all comes from the same place, regardless of what you believe?

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.  For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. - Colossians 2:8-10

When some people learn that I am a deacon they seem to apologize for not being "religious" as they put it.  They don't believe they should follow any one form of religious practices, but they say they are "spiritual," believing in the forces of the universe that either shine on them or abandon them.

That "force" that is with them at times defies a name.  It just is.

So, what if that force does have a name?  What if it is a real presence in our lives, at one time made manifest in human form, but now at work through a spirit?

I know we talked about God being jealous, wanting to be acknowledged, but what if he really doesn't care what you call him, as long as you do?

As Christians, we believe that the anointed one of God, the Messiah, and the son, God's presence in human form, are one and the same, and that the son was given dominion over us.

We call him Lord.

But others find that foolish.  They seek a relationship only with the Father, if they believe in God, and with the universe in general, with nature, if they do not.

So, in other words, we all come to a similar place but in a variety of ways.

If we all believe in some force or being, who is to say that entity isn't the source of all creation and the source of all help?

There is no doubt in my mind that we all build our lives and hopes on the same foundation, regardless of the form or shape the buildings take.

So, if we all point to the same place, why bother to know Christ?

There is a joy and peacefulness in that personal relationship that I cannot explain fully.  It comes from knowing there are many gifts available to me through the Holy Spirit and many abilities to call upon God's help just by gathering together and feeling the presence of Christ.

I believe it is possible to go through life not knowing these feelings and still wind up in the same place, but the journey will be quite different.  Having it all now is not about wealth, but about being alive in the kingdom.

Yes, we all encounter those special moments when the universe shines upon us and all seems right with the world, at least in our little worlds, but what if that comes from the same place regardless?

What if the hand of God moves us to position ourselves rightly, and in the process, gifts are showered down on us?

One of those gifts is believing that we encounter Christ in people we meet when we seek to serve them in love.  Many faiths seek to have their followers act out of love, and that is one of the signs that we are all in his hands.

For me, the day begins when I encounter God through others and accept them as I would like to be accepted.

It makes it all worth while.  So, I believe it is Christ who walks with me and makes my day.

He may be walking with you too, only you don't know it.

More to come...