The Corps of All Faith

AT THE CORE OF HUMANITY

The essential core to all of life is relationships. When God said in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for the human one to be alone, the truth that was spoken was that our very humanity is based on relationships. While most people read that passage and the immediate creation of the woman as a partner as an affirmation of the natural relationship between genders, I think it is more than that. Our humanity is enhanced and nurtured by our capacity to relate to all aspects of the created world. We are a better, more fulfilled person when we relate not only to other people but also to animals, plants, rocks, and stars. A person who has never gazed upon a star, felt the ripple of a stream, experienced the power of teamwork with others is diminished as a human being.

BEING FULFILLED AS A HUMAN BEING

We need to recognize and respond to that which is beyond ourselves as part of our fulfillment as a human being. I was blessed by fifty-three years of marriage and two wonderful daughters, but I would have been less than whole as a person if I saw all other aspects of creation, people, animals, and things as merely here to serve me. One of the devastating results of our poor stewardship of the earth that leads to exploitation and greed is that our self-serving behavior lessens our humanity.

Not everyone can have perfect parents, be nurtured in a fulfilling marriage, or never be abused by their relatives, but we can seek the promise of that which is larger than ourselves in a multitude of ways. As we seek to relate to that which is outside of ourselves, a major force is an energy often described as love.  Love is the energy that is released when we allow our awareness to focus on that which cares for and seeks to bring out the best in another aspect of creation. Who has not witnessed a gardener tenderly caring for a plant, a child being comforted by a pet, or another human sacrificing self for the sake of another and not experienced a spiritual uplift?

THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE

For Christians, we recognize that in the person of Jesus. He not only was willing to accept suffering on another’s behalf, refused to use miracles to enrich or empower himself, and directed the creative power of nature away from its potential destructive power while allowing it to fulfill the needs of others.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

When we focus on relating to other humans, life forms, and physical parts of the universe not first in how they can serve us but how we can enable them to fulfill their purpose, we draw closer to discovering the Kingdom of God that has drawn near to us.

Because the power of relationships is so essential to the fulfillment of our nature and purpose in creation, it can also be destructive as well. We are dealing with the core of our God-given reality. Hurricanes destroy, animals can attack, marriages can fail, children are abused. None of that means that creation and humanity are evil. I have known people emerge from an abusive marriage and choose to exhibit a powerful goodness that enhances the world. I’ve watched otherwise self-centered humans make tremendous sacrifices in the face of a flood or tornado and help create a powerful community in the process.

MY LORD AND SAVIOR

I acknowledge as my Lord and Savior one who received the worst that the world could deliver to him through the crucifixion and allow that to become a transforming reality for the whole creation. God may suffer from the sadness of our human rebellion against the blessings of creation, but God is not defeated by that rebellion. God was and is reconciling the world to Godself and not counting our sins against us.

FOCUS ON HOPE

There is much to be sad about in this rebellious world, but ultimately, there is no reason for despair. There is reason to choose to listen for the whisper of God and choose to respond to the Kingdom of God that has drawn near to us.

Regardless of what you have suffered or even continue to suffer, you are of precious value to God. Live in response to the good that God sees in you. Others will be blessed by who you are.