Tropical Storm Helene...

What is the nature of the God you believe in?"
For many, God is not a distant figure who simply grants wishes or bestows blessings based on our ability to "get it right." Whatever "right" means. Instead, we can understand God as the ever-present essence and activity of life. In this light, the Divine manifests in every aspect of existence - both seen and unseen. We find God in the mystery of angels and otherworldly support, the synchronicities that guide us, and the grace that carries us through difficulties. We see the Divine in the resilience and potential of the human spirit, in the communities that unite to support one another, and in the acts of kindness that arise amidst the rubble. We see the Divine in every face and every form of life - every blade of grass and every bow of gratitude.
God is Presence and Potential - evident in the faces of those who offer comfort, food, and shelter - and in the faces of those who need it. Reminding us that we are never truly alone in our joy or our sorrow, in our wholeness or our brokenness.
We are called to be sacred vessels - conduits of divine love, wisdom and compassion - using our strength and resources to heal and uplift one another. Perhaps this is the greatest gateway to experiencing God: to embody the presence of God and become the way of God.
As Eric Butterworth wisely stated, "God can do no more for you than God can do through you." This emphasizes the importance of personal agency and the active role we play in our spiritual lives. It suggests that the divine potential within us is unlocked through our open heart, honest intentions, and willingness to actively let our light shine and engage with the world.
"Where is God in all of this?" I'd love to hear your thoughts.
With love,
Rev. Darlene