This blog is about Nobody’s God. Not my God or your God, not the God of my neighbor across the street or someone in the Welsh countryside. Rather, God is the God of all four of us–and everyone else. God of us all alike. Belonging to no one more than another, nor to any denomination more than the rest. Belonging not even a little more to the worthiest-seeming among us. That’s why I think of God as Nobody’s God.
And why I named my spiritual autobiography Nobody’s God. As I wrote the manuscript, reliving my own journey, I came to understand more and more clearly that, while my journey was mine alone, God is not mine in any exclusive sense whatsoever. I see God through my eyes, from my perspective; my view of God is doubtless colored by teachings of my denomination–and of another denomination to which I once belonged. God is at the center of my life–but also at the center of others’ lives whose vision and understanding of God are quite different from mine. And I think those differences are just fine with the One God.
It’s as simple as this: either there is One God–or there is no God. That is one of the very few things I’m even pretty sure about.
Which is okay, because, as I see it, the willingness to live with incertitude is the one prerequisite for faith. I believe that. As I believe in God. I do not know God is, but that’s okay, too. Because I do know that my belief in God, and my relationship with God, matter in my life. That I believe God cares for me, in both senses, centers me, strengthens me, makes me a braver and kinder person. I believe, too, that God challenges me–though I think it was probably my idea to write this blog.
So here we go: I’m committing myself to writing this blog weekly.
In it, as in my everyday life, I will speak of God rather a lot. If that’s okay with you, let’s talk again next week.
Beautifully written and fascinating, even to those amongst us who are not overly spiritual. Look forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful and exciting. I wish you much success with this blog and look forward to sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteQuite insightful blog. I agree that if anyone is to have faith they must be willing to live with a certain amount of uncertainty. Those who must know ALL things leave no room for faith and the acceptance that he cannot and will never know all things. That's when faith comes into play.
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic intro into a new blog, and written with grace and sensitivity. I have always found that so many religions mirror other religions. There are some people who would like to believe their belief is the one "true" belief. And of course everyone lives their life in the way they believe is best--if they believed another way was better, they would live their life that way, naturally--or at least try to or wish to. The real beauty I find is in the hearts of those who can respect that others have their own personal relationship with God, and to let those people have that, in their own way, in the way that is best for them in their walk of life. The key, for me, is really a person's heart. Not what they believe, but how their beliefs and who they are affect what they do in the world and how they treat others. That says more, to me, than any religious text could, and my respect will always go out to everyone, regardless the specifics of their beliefs. I look forward to reading more blog posts.
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