Interfaith Celebration Gathering

 

 

Where is God?

 

When we were young we probably thought that God lived in the churches or synagogues or mosques we visited once a week. We went there to learn about God, and we left God there as we exited. Most of us were taught to be fearful of God, so we were happy to leave God in the building as we exited

 

God rarely had any part in most of our daily lives. Once in a while we might pray to God for something we really wanted, but secretly we knew it was our parents who gave us the bicycle or toy we desired. God was not with us as we went to school, learned our lessons, and grew into adults. Many of us still visited God once a week, though.

 

We went because it was expected of us, or because we were searching for something bigger than ourselves. But no matter how hard we searched in churches or synagogues or mosques, the power greater than ourselves that some of us call God remained elusive for many of us.

 

We had learned in schools that we were at the top of the evolutionary hierarchy. All other animals were subject to our command, and Earth’s plentiful resources were ours to use or abuse as we saw fit. In churches, synagogues, or mosques, we had learned that God made us imperfect and no matter how hard we tried to improve, we would always be sinful.

 

Many of us felt God was hiding from us because we as sinful, imperfect humans did not deserve to know God. Others of us listened to doctrines we were taught and felt we knew God. We boxed God in with these doctrines without ever knowing God in our hearts.

 

The time has come for us to know God as God knows us. But in order for us to know God, we first have to let go of all we have been taught about God. God cannot live within us until we make room for God. To make room for God, we have to clear our minds so God can enter our hearts.

 

We have to throw away all those ideas of who and what God is we have been taught all these years. As scary as this might seem to those of us who have been holding tight to our idea of God, we must let go of what we have been told and open ourselves to what God wants us to know.

 

Our connection to the power greater than ourselves that some of us call God must come from God. When we connect directly with God we will then know the answer to the question, “Where is God?”

May the God of love add a blessing to these humble words.

AMEN

© 2011 Rev. S. Suzanne Fisher