Terry Paul Choyce
January 13, 2008, Brunswick Street United Church
Last week was the Sunday most ministers talked about the wise men who went in search of the infant Jesus. We know almost nothing about these three men, other than they were astrologers who were following a new star in the sky, hoping to find the leader God had promised the Jewish people. Perhaps they thought this child would help them find the answers to their own life questions, and their personal quest for God.
Today many people go on their own search for God. There is an innate need in us to feel connected to a power larger than ourselves. We want to have explanations for why we are alive, and what comes after death. We want to know the purpose of our lives. We want guidelines to help us live good, happy lives. And often we want a spiritual community to support us in our faith. Traditionally people have turned to religion to find the answers to these questions. But today, some people are looking elsewhere. And some people are refusing to look for God at all.
In 2001, one in six Canadians said they have no religious affiliation. In B.C. and the Yukon it is was one in 3. In Nova Scotia, 11.9% of the people surveyed said they were not involved in a religion. Today I am sure those numbers are much higher. Main stream religions are not reaching the spiritual needs of many people today. But that does not mean that people are not searching for spiritual answers to life's questions and problems.
CBC radio asked the question "Where is God?" all last week. At the end of most news broadcasts they had a short interview with people about their search for God. And they created a website so we could investigate further, and add our opinions. I've included that website in the order of service.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/religion/
On Monday on Information Morning they asked people to call or email their answer to the question "Where is God?" I took them up on their offer and sent them this, which was read on Tuesday.
"Thank you for your series on God. If we are to have a more peaceful, loving world, we all need to do more inner searching about what we believe, what gives meaning to our lives, and what shapes our values. Spirituality and religion give us a foundation on which to build our lives.
God is everywhere. The questions are "how do we feel God, and how do we incorporate the wisdom and power of God into our lives." I feel God through my relationships with people, and my intense appreciation of beauty in all its glorious forms. Others feel God when they are in prayer or meditation. Many experience this feeling of wholeness when they are in a sacred space, like a church. There are so many ways to feel the love and connection of God."
When we have a personal knowledge of what the love of God feels like, we want to keep that amazing feeling with us every minute of every day. To do that we need to love, forgive, work to make life better for others, and celebrate this wonderful gift of life. Our religious or spiritual practices help us to do this. How or where we access our knowledge of the Divine is not as important as being open to the love of God, and to live lives of love.
I think most people now believe God is everywhere. God is not a man in the sky with a big white beard, judging our every action and thought. There is no where that God is not in this huge, amazing universe. So we do not have to follow a star to find God. All we have to do is open our hearts and minds to God. We have to know that God is a part of everyone and everything. And, very importantly, we have to feel God. We need to have the personal experience of the wonder and power and love of God. No one can give us this experience. We must open ourselves to it and feel it ourselves. You can do it in this church, in the forest, in your bed. It is up to you to find God.
On the CBC website Chris Hornibrook, of Sherbrook wrote:
"Religion plays a significant role in my life and in the life of my family. The institutions of religion could end tomorrow, but my spiritual life would remain vibrate and alive. Why? More importantly and more eternally, it is my personal walk with a living God that means the most to me. I find God most meaningful in so many diverse and exciting ways which guide my life. I believe God is found in the hearts of those who diligently seek. For me the historic Jesus, a man who lived a full life and provided history with rich examples of love, is my mentor and inspiration. Jesus' words and sacred truths guide my life as I seek to live like him in all realms of life."
Fredrick Ulrich wrote: "God is a force that is inside of everything. God is a force of compassion and wisdom." Alan Green said, "God is the basis of everyone and everything in the universe." Another person said, "When we find God we become transformed."
Have you found God and been transformed? And what does transformation look like? I think it looks like love. When we feel God we want to be good to everyone, including ourselves. We want health and happiness for everyone. And we often want other people to experience this inner peace and power that comes with finding God. When you have felt a personal connection to the Divine you want to live as Christ lived, with compassion, understanding, and joy. You feel more connected to life, and more reassured of a soul-life after the physical death of our bodies. You feel more peaceful and whole. And you say, " I know where God is. God is right here."
