It is common for us to say that God is everything. But when you look outside of yourself and take in all that is familiar to you, to what extent have you considered this philosophy to include people who are not like you? I’ve been asked to share my thoughts on racism and prejudice. Although I prefer not to place too much of my focus on this issue, I know I have a responsibility to respond to it and offer some perspective.
What better way for me to address the issue of racism and prejudice than through our commonly shared belief that “God is everything,” a mysterious force and creator of all living things? When it comes to God we can agree that anything is possible. Divine presence shows up in our physical world in countless ways. According to Colossians 1:16, and one thing believers of God agree to, is that he is our creator. Our tendency to discriminate, separate, and judge one another because of differences in culture, ethnicity, or some other factor, contradicts this agreement. I wrote this article hoping to reveal those contradictions and confront the close-mindedness we enact while being racist or prejudice. We behave with bias toward one another even when we mean to follow the love and openness of God and divine authority.
We agree that God works in mysterious ways. This agreement can help us rethink prejudice and racist ideals.
Read some great examples of God’s mysterious omnipresence here.
We accept that we do not know all things. However, we agree that every living phenomena is created as a result of an all loving, all divine, all powerful, all creative, all diverse, and infinite amazing architect of higher consciousness. Our certainty of divine creation reenforces the agreement that God is everything. This agreement deems racist and prejudice attitudes as irresponsible states of mind separate from (and in) defiance of our divine agreement. Rethinking the basis of this agreement should be enough to create a simple solution for racism and prejudice and bring these types back into the fold of our common agreement.
We call the architect of all living things God, yet resist God’s reflection in all of his creations.
If God is the architect, why do so many of us harbor contempt, jealousy, or a sense of entitlement over images and mental ideas of what God looks like when they differ between us as individuals? These battles would occur less often if we truly accept and establish in our hearts, the agreement of God being present in every living thing.
If there is an image of a white God in the mind of a person who is also white, and the comfort he finds from claiming likeness to his maker brings him closer to behaving with goodness and kindness toward others; should we overlook his efforts and resist his kindness because he sees the divine spirit as himself?
Should we interrupt the thoughts of a black child who envisions God as a bronze angel shining a bright path toward righteousness in her mind? Is it our place to instruct her or steer her spiritual relationship with God by teaching her to envision omnipresence as a man or some other image not closely corollated with what she relates to?
Imagine that there are countless Asian families warming their hearts to a version of omnipresence that represents a mirror image of themselves. They appear inspired and validated from their personal experiences with God.
Somewhere in our world there is an Indian woman singing praises to a spiritual Goddess whom she believes offers the wisdom and insight she needs to survive each day of her journey. We can choose to be overjoyed by her happiness and spiritual satisfaction.
We understand God is a shape-shifter; an omnipresence capable of all things. We are diverse, yet made in the image of the greatest living architect. Our architect is not a “thing” or spirt that is easily defined or contained. All of the mystery and wonder that we marvel in should make it easier to accept God’s magical continuity as spiritually logical. The image of God is infinite and creates all things in its own image, simultaneously, spontaneously, and without the hassle of time, shape, physical, cultural, or spiritual restrictions.
Together we represent a diverse creation joined at the root of God’s willful call. We do ourselves a disservice when we force a specific image or spiritual monopoly on one another as an exclusive representation of an infinite creator. Instead of finding fault in the mysterious nature of divinity we can be encouraged to be happy for those who are different from us. We can celebrate the vast creativity of the heavens, and be grateful to witness the unique approach each person or culture adapts for expressing their connection to divinity.
Everyone is right. What you see on your neighbor’s wall is right for them and their family. Your expressions are also valid and should be respected.
When you look at yourself and your loved ones and see an image of God, remember this insuppressible spirit reflects everywhere else simultaneously. God creates us all in his image and that is an amazing feat to conceptualize. It further reinforces the powerful nature of the divine. Divine creation is not as simple as human efforts to further its species through the reproduction process, which we can comprehend. We produce children who look and act like us, yet possess their own personalties, and for these things we are blessed. God’s power is far greater and he does not exercise that power for us to live partial and hateful toward one another.
Concerning God, there can be no monopoly on divine expression and what it will look like during any time of the day or night. This presence is seen and felt everywhere; gaze up at the stars in the evening, or watch intently as flowers bloom in Spring. It can be seen in the emergency worker helping a person in need, the ballerina mastering her craft, the bee going about honey making, the guitarist strumming your favorite melody – or, the heavenly barista who prepares your coffee each morning before you start the day. The image is always changing and it’s as wonderful as it is amazing.
Imagine life without all of its diversity.
Everyone has a desire to be special and everyone is – Let’s commit to include all living things in the universe as equally relevant to God’s creation and plan. This agreement can help us build tolerance and overcome self-serving prejudices and racists mindsets.