Questioning: 3 May 2009

Dear Friends,

There are times in life when we take pause to ask ourselves some really tough questions. Sometimes the questions have to do with our life as it is or as it was – How did I get here? Where am I going? What direction should I take next? Sometimes our questions are deeper because we find our previous belief systems do not fit as perfectly now as they did when we were younger. Questions may arise such as: What is my image of God now? Where are places to go or people to connect with where there is freedom of thought and expression? Sometimes we find ourselves enmeshed in deep grieving, desperately searching for answers to: Who am I now? Who am I now without this (person or thing) in my life? Where is the Sacred Comforter? We search and search for answers and perhaps go looking in places where we think we’ll find them – in other people, in books, on the Internet. It’s amazing how much “self-help” media is out there promising all the tools and answers for us to have a good and/or successful life. I say, yeah right. In our search for meaning, the first place to consider beginning (and maybe ending) looking is within ourselves. Deep inside we know who we are (we don’t need anyone else to tell us that) and what we are able to do. Deep inside we already know it is not the latest fad or flashy speaker or writer that will provide us with what we seek. No one can even pretend to know these answers for us, and if they say they do, consider that it may be their means of controling us. Our deepest questioning is a journey we take alone, though we can, at times and if we are willing, ask a trusted companion to walk along with us.

At some point we may come to realize we do have a constant companion – the Sacred One always walks with us no matter our circumstances, no matter how good (or bad) we or others think we are. There is NOTHING that can separate us from our Creator.

The image of the Good Shepherd in this weekend’s gospel (John 10:11-18) prodded me to consult the dictionary. Good: of high quality, suitable, skilled, kind, virtuous, honorable, pleasant, beneficial, favorable, genuine, obedient. Shepherd: one who provides guidance and care. These are among the dictionary definitions of those two words.

If we truly believe we are eternally connected to the Creator of all, we have at our constant disposal the One who will perfectly fit these human-constructed definitions and provide us with the comfort, care, guidance and love we seek.

Peace on the Journey