I have not posted recently but once again I feel led to say what is on my heart.. I was reading my Devotional "Jesus Calling" this morning for December 6. What was said really hit me. The Bible references the devotion was based on were Deuteronomy 6:5; Colossians 3:23; and Psalm 16:11. To paraphrase both the author and the Bible passages: Man creates duties and rituals to give God money, time and work but neglects to give God what he really wants which is our hearts. By performing ritualistic, mechanical and habitual actions, over and over, they come to require no thought. "the soul becomes comatose."
What God really wants and what he created us for is our presence with him and our joy in his creation. God does not want or need money, sacrifice of lives, ritualistic prayer, robotic-ally performed duties for the church, the poor, the sick, or the hungry. What he wants is for us to pray, love and give with joy and wonder. He desires our hearts and thankfulness for the blessings we have received; and the relationship we continue to develop with him.
How indeed can the creator of the universe be in need of anything. He has it all. Except he gave us free choice. Each of us can choose to be in relationship with this Awesome Being whom we cannot approach physically, but only with our hearts and minds.
It is as if one has a child who offers his parent blind obedience and respect, in his presence; but once out of sight, merrily pursues his own appetites and desires with no thought or concern for who he hurts or kills in the process. What Parent could hold such a child in esteem when he learns his child has cast his values and principles into the mud and then stomped on them. What Parent could be proud when he learns his child has deliberately stolen, raped, maimed, brutalized, and destroyed the very home and persons, with whom and into which, the child was lovingly born and raised.
When we care more for our own interests then for the Parent who gave us life and raised us, then we trample on sacred ground. We pay homage to the god of self and try to buy off the Creator of all that is and has been and will be. We offer meaningless rituals, prayers and offerings, never touching and engaging with the Blessing of Creation.
Yes, I am a Creationist, but not in the common meaning. The Creator of all the laws and principles which yields us insights into Being and science is the Creation I believe in. The God of Love who holds all of his children in the center of his Being and infuses those who choose to listen with knowledge and joy, and his Eternal presence within.
So say I, PooBah, on this glorious and God filled day.
