My
Dear Children (and believe me, that's all of you),
I
consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, look at the Grand
Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution?
Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing
to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.
I've
been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes,
and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves
into big trouble again and again.
I
want to let you know about some of the things that are starting
to tick me off.
First
of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough
already! Let's get one thing straight.
These
are YOUR religions, not Mine.
I'm
the whole enchilada; I'm beyond them all. Every one of your religions
claims there is only one of Me (which by the way, is absolutely
true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it's
My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally
by Me, and that all the other bible's are man-made. Oh, Me. How
do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?
Okay,
listen up now. I'm your Father AND Mother, and I don't play favorites
among My children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don't
write. My longhand is awful, and I've always been more of a "doer"
anyway.
So
ALL of your books, including those bible's, were written by men
and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also
made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you
would never trust a written word
more than your own living heart.
You
see, one human being to me -- even a bum on the street -- is worth
more than all the Holy Books in the world. That's just the kind
of guy I am.
My
Spirit is not a historical thing, it's alive right here, right
now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites
are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you.
They
were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep
you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from
trusting your own personal connection with Me. Which brings Me
to My next point about your nonsense.
You
act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or "win
souls" for My sake. Please, don't do Me any favors. I can stand
quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me,
and I don't need constant credit.
I
just want you to be good to each other.
And
another thing: I don't get all worked up over money or politics,
so stop dragging My name into your dramas.
For
example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I
never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat
Robertson to run for president, and I've never EVER had a conversation
with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come
Judgement Day, I certainly intend to...
The
thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort
of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is
so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around.
Believe
Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of your hearts,
and I love you with no strings attached.
Lighten
up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for. What you seem
to forget is how mysterious I am.
You
look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, "Well,
if THIS is the truth, then THAT can't be!" But instead of trying
to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature--which by the
way, you NEVER will--why not open your hearts to the simple common
threads in all religions.
You
know what I'm talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind,
even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good
cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you
can hear My still, small voice (I don't like to shout).
Leave
the world a better place by living your life with dignity and
gracefulness, for you are My Own Child.
Hold
back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely
will, and the parts that can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy
(I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think
gave it to him in the first place?)
Simple
stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated?
It's
like you're always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I'm
very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether
you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father,
Mother or even the Void of Nirvana?
Do
you think I care which of My special children you feel closest
to -- Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others?
You
can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you
would go about My business of loving one another as I love you.
How can you keep neglecting something so simple? I'm not telling
you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honor them,
learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from
your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your
parents are better than theirs?
Your
religion, like your parents, may always have the most special
place in your heart; I don't mind that at all. And I don't want
you to combine all the Great Traditions in One Big Mess.
Each
religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that
people can find the best path for themselves. But My Special Children
-- the ones that your religions revolve around -- all live in
the same place (My heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure
you.
The
clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there
is none. My blessed children of Earth, the world has grown too
small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The
whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones,
fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns.
Get
with the program!
If
you really want to help then commit yourselves to figuring out
how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused,
and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own
everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor.
I've
given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your
fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.
Finally, My Children everywhere, when you think of the life of
Jesus and the fearlessness with which He chose to live and die.
As I love Him, so do I love each one of you.
I'm
not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because
I hate to see you suffer.
But
I gave you free will.
I
just want you to be happy. Always. Trust in Me.
Your
One and Only,
God.
