What Do We Seek?

I recently saw a man carrying a tall sign in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon that read, "Jesus saves from Hell. Turn, or burn!" Then I read a quote from the Sufi mystic, Raba'i. She said, and I paraphrase, "God, if I seek you to avoid hell, burn me in hell. If I seek you to attain heaven, cast me out. Let my seeking of you be for you alone."

May I be so bold as to suggest that it might help us spiritually and psychologically if we quit seeking some kind of reward, or goody, from God, be it houses, cars, new jobs, heaven or avoidance of hell, and seek only the recognition of Love's presence? If I am constantly concerned with what God is going to do FOR me or TO me, then I don't have time to be concerned with what I am here to be concerned about: LOVING! Emmett Fox, renown New Thought teacher and writer, said, "Take your mind off the problem [me] and put it on God [others]." We are called to love one another. That is our main purpose on this planet.

There's a wonderful expression from Islam that says, "Trust Allah and tie up the camels." In it's simplest explanation, it means that we need to do our part. To say we trust God and then not to be God's image and likeness, that is, to be shedding our love abroad in the world, is to speak empty words. And no matter your religious persuasion, dig deep enough into your tradition and you'll find that love is the central and solidifying element. (Unless of course, you're a demon worshipper. But then, who am I to judge?)

I have heard some of my friends of traditional and evangelical religious persuasions admit that they are not certain if they are "good enough" to go to heaven. What a shame. When we practice the Presence of Love, now, in this moment, by sharing with one another, caring for one another, withholding judgment from one another, forgiving each other, we step into heaven, now, in this moment. It's that simple. And the rewards are certain to follow.

For those of you who may be Bible enthusiasts, remember: Jesus said, in Luke 17:21, that the Kingdom of God is within us. The Greek word translated as "within" can also be translated as "among." That means that, as we express love to and for each other, the Kingdom becomes tangible, available, accessible, right here, right now. We don't have to die, or be "good enough" to enter the Kingdom; we just have to, first, acknowledge, then accept, its reality.

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