This evening, I was noticing a thread on a friend’s Facebook page that included a lively conversation which began this way:

“I am God in Garb
You are God in Garb
We are God in Garb
God is everything
Everything is God in Garb”

He was expressing his perception of the Divine in all It’s glorious aspects. I have known this man for the past 5 years or so and for him, spirituality is not something he takes out of a container where it gets stored away until he needs to bring it out again. It is an integral aspect of his entire life. He lives love in his thought, word and deed.

What followed were comments from folks with a particular set of beliefs who are convinced that their way is the only way and they quoted scripture to ‘validate’ it. I chimed in and shared that I am an interfaith minister who has no right to tell anyone what to believe spiritually, that love is my religion and God’s too big to put in a box. I could have quoted chapter and verse of other religious teachings that could have  proven a point, but it indeed felt pointless to do so. I continued beaming love in their direction instead which felt ever so much better than getting my panties in a twist because someone else had a different perception of the One, The Source, The Almighty, Higher Power; whatever name you might choose to use for that essence that I believe permeates all things. (notice, I said “I believe,” which means I’m not out to prove anyone wrong.) What if God is all there is?

As much as I love spiritual conversations, I have learned that when people buy into the “My God’s better/bigger than your God”; cue Kennel Ration music,  wars start and people die.

My friend (and I can envision him doing this), said he was smiling and sending love and then asked these questions: “What if all the books in the world disappeared? How would I live? How would I treat others? What would I believe?   My life is simple. I live the golden rule. I love.”

Would that we all.

Photo credit: www.rimonberkshires.org

http://youtu.be/BGEnHgi9Wks  All There Is by Lew Doty