Recently, I participated in a synchronized blogging event on the subject of prayer. Over 40 people contributed, from a wide variety of Christian perspectives.
One thing really struck me as I read the various posts; the Love. Every person who wrote beautifully articulated, in their own words, the ways in which they experience Love for and intimacy with God. Likewise, every person who commented on each post did so with Love and grace, never challenging another person's practice of prayer or their expression of faith.
I like to see this as evidence of a shift in Christianity many of us are becoming aware of, a shift from each of us believing we have all the right answers for the Christian life, applicable to everyone...to believing many diverse answers are acceptable, and even desirable.
Really what I'm getting at is simple...that we could all relate to each other in a way which accepts the reality of God relating to each of us differently, and each of us understanding we do not possess the right to exclude someone based on how God relates to that person.
I saw evidence it is possible this week in the way a diverse group of people treated each other with respect and gentleness and Love.
One thing really struck me as I read the various posts; the Love. Every person who wrote beautifully articulated, in their own words, the ways in which they experience Love for and intimacy with God. Likewise, every person who commented on each post did so with Love and grace, never challenging another person's practice of prayer or their expression of faith.
I like to see this as evidence of a shift in Christianity many of us are becoming aware of, a shift from each of us believing we have all the right answers for the Christian life, applicable to everyone...to believing many diverse answers are acceptable, and even desirable.
Really what I'm getting at is simple...that we could all relate to each other in a way which accepts the reality of God relating to each of us differently, and each of us understanding we do not possess the right to exclude someone based on how God relates to that person.
I saw evidence it is possible this week in the way a diverse group of people treated each other with respect and gentleness and Love.
8 comments:
Amen Erin, this is so beautiful.
Also if you have ever been "excluded" on the basis of your religious beliefs or lack of, you know how much it can hurt or at least cause isolation. God / Love is not exclusive.
Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.
Peace
Keren
Growing in love seems to be married to growing in respect and compassion for others. I think it's beautiful Erin that you saw evidence of that in your experience with the prayer blogging event you were a part of. Thank you for sharing your story.
There's a small story from the book 'Black Elk's Vision' by the Lakota holy man that I think speaks to those common characteristics of love you wrote about:
"I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people was one of many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy."
Very encouraging.
Keren - It's always been interesting to me how exclusive Christians can be...even to each other, let alone other spiritual traditions. I'm so glad in this example I didn't run into that at all.
Anne - I've read 'Black Elk Speaks' so I know what you're talking about. I love how he talks about how we are all connected an interdependent, and therefore we need to be careful how we treat each other.
Marilyn Ruth - Thank you. I appreciate that.
erin, thank you for sharing this. what came to mind was the "namaste" mentality - that the starting point and sustaining spirit of my relationships and interactions with others is that place where the image of God in me honors and respects image of God in others. since "God is Love," despite pour differences we are one in Love. anyway, thanks for the post. jim
Thanks Jim. I agree. I always love when I find that to be true in community - when people are able to relate that way.
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