You and I are unique. We are special. We are each amazingly made by a loving God whose main job, it seems, is to create imperfect, yet Spirit blessed beings. At the same time, we aren’t so special that God spends all of God’s time micromanaging what happens to us every day. Neither you nor I are favored over anyone else. In other words, God loves us. God loves everyone else too. If everyone is special, it stands to reason that nobody is more special than anyone else. Today’s truth is a simple one-stop practicing your religion as if God loves you best. And while we are at it, let’s stop this nonsense about America being God’s favorite. That kind of thinking has caused a lot of damage over the years, and it continues to infect our daily discourse.
Think about it – many of our founders called America the “city on a hill” – the “New Jerusalem” – the fulfillment of the promise of a Christian land. This allowed for Manifest Destiny and Scriptural approval of slavery. This spiritual arrogance gave our ancestors permission to attempt genocide against the people who lived here before us, forcing them onto reservations. This has given people the belief that their candidate for whatever office was God’s choice, so electing someone else means we have disobeyed God. It has led to the destruction of the world’s environment. This is a great nation, but our greatness has been defined and supported more by our military might rather than our goodness. We have become the world’s arms dealer. We have exchanged justice for greed and called it God’s will. We are no better than the people of the Congo or Russia or anyplace else. And no worse.
And while I am a devout follower of Jesus, I don’t think I am any better than a devout Jew or Muslim or Sikh (etc.). I was raised in a fake Christian culture and had to struggle with real Christian values; I chose to follow Jesus after prayer and study and discernment. That said, I am no better than Atheists, Agnostics, or Pastafarians. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t bad people in the world, or that those who commit evil will not be punished or disconnected from God when they die. Jesus teaches us not to judge, and I believe that means we can’t say whether or not others end up in heaven or hell. Our job is to do our best in this life. Our job is to try to love God, neighbor, and self so that our lives can make the world a better place. I don’t know about you, but keeping an eye on my own life is plenty of work. Your job is to do your best as well. Together, we form communities of faith that work to make life better for others on a larger scale. Because even those whose lives have met with struggle are special to God.
So, enough already with the spiritual superiority complex! Do good – live well – be generous – love your neighbor and your enemy – and treat others as if they were Jesus. Because God loves you and everybody else; God doesn’t play favorites. Which, ultimately, puts the pressure on each one of us to live up to God’s expectations. God needs us to do good.
Prayer – Cure us, God, of our spiritual immaturity. Give us eyes that see the beauty in others. And in ourselves. Amen.
Today’s art is untitled – the artist is Josephine Wall.