God Memes, Sound Bites, and Roast Chicken

I think a lot. I think about God, His nature, who He is, who I am to Him. I think of God and then I think of those things I have heard spoken of God, or what God has been quoted as saying. I sit or walk with God, sometimes we talk, sometimes not, but I think it is still prayer. I don’t have prayer books or cards, but I sit and tell Him the truth of all I don’t understand, including Him. I tell Him mostly that life is too big for me, and He tells me to be small, see the small things, do the small things, my task is not to do great things, but if I could roast a chicken He said, that would be good. Create a sanctuary of peace wherever you go, be that sanctuary of peace.

I asked He, who descended into Hell, if it was true that He was not allowed in public schools or public places anymore, for people said that He was not. I heard a distinct laugh, and then a question, “What do you think?” I think that if you are who you say you are, then you exist everywhere, regardless of what some popinjay declared by civil law. I believe you to be bigger than civil law. I think that you would still remain in every believer’s heart whether the law permitted it or not, if truly you indwell in our souls, then we can never be separated from you. I sensed a Divine smile, His great patience with a four year old wrestling with awareness for the first time.  I pressed again with a question, “It is said that you are too much of a gentleman to force your presence on anyone and that if asked to leave, you do, what say you to that?” Did I hear the Divine snort? Again the question turned to me, “what do you think?” I think that a gentleman woos a lady ever more gently even should she rebuff him. I think that the heart of the beloved ever pursues his love. And, if it is true what they say of your attributes, should you ever leave us, we would cease to exist, we are always on your mind, so to speak. Again I sensed a smile.

Sitting on the sand with the wild onshore wind stirring huge waves, I felt more long held illusions being cleansed from my being. The importance of being in nature, to feel the elements churning and pounding, to be utterly incapable of changing the waves, and to let go of trying. It seems so often the sound bites of God, the cutesy memes, the self-righteous scripture quoting artfully sculpted to push an agenda, clouds and distorts the face of Mercy. Perhaps it is no wonder that folks are a bit skeptical of having God around, especially when reduced to such a single note. He is a full chorus, He is every note of a cello, He is every dear cat that purrs so loudly your heart can not resist calming to its rumbles, He is every kind act of a stranger. I think we bought into a horrible illusion that we have chased God away, that we are a forsaken nation, but we are not. I am convinced that God has a merry heart and engages us in the Divine hide and seek. To find Him in the unexpected places we need to shed the illusion of being grownups and abandon ourselves to flip flops and play clothes. To stop hiding ourselves behind the things that are not God, but only give us the illusion of being righteous and good.

I think I would like to construct a meme, a picture of a beautiful roast chicken. No words, no pithy quote, just a chicken. It would remind me to give thanks for the humble bird and the Great God who created the humble bird, to give thanks for those who may join us in sharing the finely roasted fowl, to drink wine, to listen to stories, to create a sanctuary of peace wherever we may dwell, despite the terrors of life. To be present in that moment, in the knowledge of who I am, and at peace with the God who is.