Before I get rolling, let me disclose that what follows is my own personal perception and knowing of God, and if yours differs, that is the uniqueness that we all are.
The title is lifted from Joan Osborne, yet it opens up an interesting discussion.
God is not just one of us, God is all of us, individually and collectively. God is infinite in nature, so must be everywhere. It would be rather strange if the omnipotent and omniscient thing that God is could not be some place place or other. So God must indeed be everywhere. That leads to the fact that God is then in everything and everyone. Again, would God be selective in choosing where to be and not be? No, God is not prejudiced or judgmental (more on this later*). God is the Presence that simply is, the Presence that being infinite fills all things with Itself.
And yes, I would rather not label God with a gender, as a He or a She, as God is not a person, God is all persons and all things! We are made in the image and likeness of God, and for some reason most of us have been trying to return the favour ever since.
Think about that for a moment. It’s OK, I’ll wait.
So how do we act knowing we are God? Not gods, but God. It seems an easy way out to, and this is a purely personal observation, retire to a monastery or similar venue to contemplate God. It is much more real, challenging and committed to seek that understanding and knowing, while driving in LA traffic, or dealing with the in-laws, or the boss. Yes, all of them, including the other driver cutting you up, are God, just like you!
Hmmm. Food for thought. So what does that mean to you and me?
A few ideas come to mind:
1. It is our responsibility to take care of this vehicle we call a body, since it houses God. Now how you take care of it is up to you – does that mean eating raw or vegan? Quitting smoking, or simply going to the gym once a week? That, my friend, is purely up to you.
2. It is our opportunity to create more peace in the world, as any warlike activities against another, are simply attacks on ourselves. Think about that for a week!
3. Others that treat us less than loving, are simply forgetting who they are. It is not our job to remind them. However, it is our work to see them as they truly are, even when they are not acting like it.
4. And coming right home, be gentle with yourself. Self-judgment is another way of forgetting who we are. Self-forgiveness is remembering who we are. Love who you are, with any and all your apparent faults. It is the least you can do!
Speaking of forgiveness(*), there’s a lot of talk about seeking God’s forgiveness. As I have learned during my studies and understanding, there’s a flaw in this logic. God does not forgive! “What?” I hear you gasp! I said “God does not forgive.” Why would God forgive? God does not judge. That is reserved for us humans. We do all the judging, not God, so it is our work to forgive, not God’s. Make sense?
This musing only scratches the surface of this discussion, and it permeates so much of our modern world, particularly the left hemisphere. I offer this as a beginning step to greater acceptance and understanding, and perhaps even a little more peace on the planet.
More to come.
PB&J
Barry.
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