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| Seen on the prairie |
Laying on the hard packed snowdrift staring into the sky, I was mesmerized by the infinite dots of light. My preteen mind made the connection to the Sunday School God who created the heavens and the earth. I still marvel at the intricacies of texture and color in flora and fauna. Crouching, gently pushing aside grass, leaves, and other detritus another lively ecosystem is revealed. This one is equally as complex as the one in which I exist. A Creator of all this splendor, in my current concept of God cannot be limited. In so many ways, all of these interdependent systems are beyond my comprehension, but not beyond my appreciation.
Standing tall in the midst of other signage was the billboard proclaiming God's magnificent design. When it comes to the supposed pinnacle of creation, being limited to an either or seems to be illogical. Amidst the immeasurable creativity and limitless possibilities, God finally grew weary and
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| Truth? |
settled upon two choices. If humanity is created in the likeness of the Creator, shouldn't we be satisfied with the simplicity of the binary? What?My preteen mind goes back to the kitchen cupboard gazing at the cereal options: corn flakes or crispy rice. Neither of these options assume space in my current cabinet. If it wasn't for granola, some of which is mixed with fruits, seeds, and nuts; infused with added proteins, possibly being organic or gluten free, the product named cereal wouldn't be in my home. While binary exists, are we willing to be so limited? Marketing departments would be nonexistent if we were so simply satisfied. If choices and variety are vital, who are we to boldly post that God is limited?
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| Colors, contours, and creation |
A quote attributed to Susan B. Anthony, an American social reformer and human rights activist, "
I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." During the past decade I have seen a revival within the religious community of stances which are claimed to be approved by God. These interpretations are not limited to liberal or conservative groups. I sense that instead of marveling at the grand diversity in which we live, while attempting to incorporate our thoughts into the understanding of life, we have to attach God's authority to it. If God's approval is placed on our perspectives, our perspectives have to be correct. Right? The longer I remain in pastoral ministry the less directive I become in suggesting my interpretation of Sacred Stories is beneficial for others. I may be developing the aches of aging, but my willingness to appreciate life is becoming more flexible.
Another quote which I appreciate is from the late professional boxer and activist, Muhammad Ali, "A person who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of life."
