Maybe it's just because of my upbringing but the other day I was talking to a
friend and I said, "You have to put your faith in the Universe." He said, "You
mean God." Well, yes, that's what I was talking about, but for me when someone
mentions God for some reason it implies religion and all of its dogma. Neale
Donald Walsch (author of Conversations with God) makes the statement that
religion puts God out there, but he says that God is within all of us and is a
part of us. God isn't out there somewhere. However, being raised with strong
religious doctrine, I have a hard time getting past those old ingrained
teachings. I guess that is why I use the word Universe more often.
The first of the Ten Commandments that the Bible says Moses brought down from
the mountain says to …"not have any other gods before Me." Most look at that and
say, "I don't have any other gods." I beg to differ. Most people today have put
the State as their god. They depend on the State to take care of them. They say
we must obey the State, ignoring that same Bible which states that you should
obey God's law over man's law. If you're just supposed to follow all the
government's (State's) laws, why do you suppose the disciples of Jesus ended up
in jail? Maybe it was because they forgot to obey one of man's laws. If a church
incorporates does that not say they don't trust God to take care of them but are
relying on the State for protection?
I was one of those that really never thought too much about that commandment
because I didn't have any other God. That is until one day I realized that I had
made hot rods and racecars my god. That, I think, is one of the troubles with
putting God out there and not having God within. We tend to overlook the fact
that there are all kinds of gods we worship because we have put God out there
somewhere.
I recall the first time I heard someone say, "I believe that all of us are a
part of God and God is a part of us." I thought long and hard about that. It was
a little confusing to me at the time because I had always been taught God was
out there somewhere or in Heaven wherever that was. If you actually read the
scriptures, Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. When I looked at
that, I started to realize that it didn't mean out there in some future
dimension, it meant it was available now. That can be achieved by changing how
you view life.
If you keep your outlook on life focused on the positive you will have a much
happier life than if all you can see is the doom and gloom presented nightly on
the news. Here's a thought: turn that darned TV off. Watch an inspirational
movie, read a book, or enjoy conversation with the ones you love. For my part, I
see the TV as the modern Roman games; instead of bread, though, they give them a
six-pack. Keep the people distracted from what's really happening or from
finding a true inner peace.
One of the problems with finding out what is really going on is that you are
then the outsider and that way-out wacko. Some people, when they find out,
really let it get to them and end up going around tilting at windmills. Others
can acknowledge it and get on with their lives. One way to accomplish that in my
opinion, is to focus on the fact that God, the Universe whatever name you want
to call it is on your side; you must look to the light side. Too often we let
the dark side control our thoughts and emotions, which is what the dark side
feeds on - our fear. Just one example: instead of worrying about the price of
fuel, how about focusing on the fact that you'll either have enough money to buy
it or there will be some other way to cope without petroleum. Maybe if that
happens alternative energy will come forth. I'm not talking about ethanol, which
is just another smoke screen to keep you from being focused on real solutions.
Having Heaven right here on earth… now doesn't that sound a lot better than some
far off place sometime after we die? I think that is a goal we should all strive
to achieve; it sure sounds better than what we have going on now. Lets bring God
down here in us and us a part of God. That, I think, is the first step. I am in
God, God is in me, and God and I are one. If you feel more comfortable, change
God to Universe, energy, or whatever works for you. I believe they are all one
and the same. Quantum Physics tells us we are energy and everything is made up
of energy. It's not in the name; it's in the understanding that we are all
related and have the ability to change our life. It's what is called free will,
which we are all given. Sometimes we just get too overloaded and decide to let
others tell us what to do.
You actually know what to do. The only thing holding you back is fear. Part of
that fear is the realization that if you take that step you are being
responsible for yourself. Or is it you're afraid that your friends might think
you're one of those "weirdoes." Are they really your friends if you can't have
your own opinion? Come on! Reach for that other colored pill for a change. But
most of all - keep a positive outlook on life and remember that God is in all of
us and we are in God. I think that makes us all related. Oh, yeah, one final
note: while being one of the weirdoes has it's ups and downs it can also be very
rewarding and fun. Come on! Let's have some fun in this life. At least smile!!
Charlie