Meditations for Lent - #29
As I read todays suggested Gospel reading of John 5:31-47 I was acutely aware of how much I empathize with those who have confused faith in a God of their understanding with the fallible nature of human religious institutions and humans in general. I am also aware that children are often told to trust their parents, teacher or other adults only to find out that adults lie to children. Whether it is a simple lie such as “Tell me the truth and I will not get mad.”, a larger lie, “I will keep you safe.” “A lie is not a lie.”,
Murder is not murder.”, Immigrants at the border are all criminals,.”, “Punishing people creates a safer community.”, or “You did not see what you saw or hear what you heard.” adults challenge the wisdom of children trusting adults. Children are often lied to about god. They are told to pray to a god, be good and god will reward you in ways you can understand and experience. If not God, is going to be angry and punish you.
Is it any wonder that so many individuals question if there is any reality other than what they create for themselves; that there is any reason to postpone immediate gratification or that there is a greater reward than a good job, a safe home or a loving partner? Trust seems to be a troubling issue for all people, but it a particularly difficult issue for those seeking a life of recovery from active addiction to alcohol, other drugs, sex, power or anything else which numbs one even for a moment . When folks are introduced to a faith-based program of recovery - a 12-step program -they are quickly told that they will need to trust a god of their understanding. Yet, often one factor for avoiding life on life’s term was the fact that nothing in their experience led them to believe that they could safely trust other people or a higher power.
Sponsors or treatment staff working for/with those in early recovery for addiction or other disorders suggest that a high power can be “GOD – good, orderly direction” or the 12- step recovery process. It can be one other person with significant time in working and living a recovery program. It can be an acceptance of the intricate, interdependent design of the universe. Recently I was listening to a scientist excitedly describe the design of various proteins in the human body and how other parts of the human body recognize and interact with each design. Other scientists can describe how various parts of the universe work as a unit and what happens when something is done to disturb that balance. For me it is not much of a stretch to imagine that how I treat myself affects how I play my role in the operation of the universe. What does one call that “whole”? Does one call it God or “I am”, Allah, Buddha or some other name? Does it matter what one calls he/she/it? All scientific evidence points to the fact that humans are social animals; that we need to acknowledge and allow ourselves to be connected with each other and the other parts of the universe. Whether we accept this “fact” based on scientific evidence or because of faith based on a religious framework does not seem to matter. When Jesus talks about humans being saved he is, I believe, talking about connecting; about letting go of that void we experience when we are disconnected. To be disconnected is to be adrift; to be in that alone place which seems to corresponds to that place which some describe as hell; as that place of eternal damnation. This then is the promise of Jesus; the promise of connection; the promise of being an essential part of a whole.
Written April 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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As I read todays suggested Gospel reading of John 5:31-47 I was acutely aware of how much I empathize with those who have confused faith in a God of their understanding with the fallible nature of human religious institutions and humans in general. I am also aware that children are often told to trust their parents, teacher or other adults only to find out that adults lie to children. Whether it is a simple lie such as “Tell me the truth and I will not get mad.”, a larger lie, “I will keep you safe.” “A lie is not a lie.”,
Murder is not murder.”, Immigrants at the border are all criminals,.”, “Punishing people creates a safer community.”, or “You did not see what you saw or hear what you heard.” adults challenge the wisdom of children trusting adults. Children are often lied to about god. They are told to pray to a god, be good and god will reward you in ways you can understand and experience. If not God, is going to be angry and punish you.
Is it any wonder that so many individuals question if there is any reality other than what they create for themselves; that there is any reason to postpone immediate gratification or that there is a greater reward than a good job, a safe home or a loving partner? Trust seems to be a troubling issue for all people, but it a particularly difficult issue for those seeking a life of recovery from active addiction to alcohol, other drugs, sex, power or anything else which numbs one even for a moment . When folks are introduced to a faith-based program of recovery - a 12-step program -they are quickly told that they will need to trust a god of their understanding. Yet, often one factor for avoiding life on life’s term was the fact that nothing in their experience led them to believe that they could safely trust other people or a higher power.
Sponsors or treatment staff working for/with those in early recovery for addiction or other disorders suggest that a high power can be “GOD – good, orderly direction” or the 12- step recovery process. It can be one other person with significant time in working and living a recovery program. It can be an acceptance of the intricate, interdependent design of the universe. Recently I was listening to a scientist excitedly describe the design of various proteins in the human body and how other parts of the human body recognize and interact with each design. Other scientists can describe how various parts of the universe work as a unit and what happens when something is done to disturb that balance. For me it is not much of a stretch to imagine that how I treat myself affects how I play my role in the operation of the universe. What does one call that “whole”? Does one call it God or “I am”, Allah, Buddha or some other name? Does it matter what one calls he/she/it? All scientific evidence points to the fact that humans are social animals; that we need to acknowledge and allow ourselves to be connected with each other and the other parts of the universe. Whether we accept this “fact” based on scientific evidence or because of faith based on a religious framework does not seem to matter. When Jesus talks about humans being saved he is, I believe, talking about connecting; about letting go of that void we experience when we are disconnected. To be disconnected is to be adrift; to be in that alone place which seems to corresponds to that place which some describe as hell; as that place of eternal damnation. This then is the promise of Jesus; the promise of connection; the promise of being an essential part of a whole.
Written April 4, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
-
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