Many of the religions of the world hold some kind of belief
about what is “wrong” with the world.
All have some explanation for the evil that befalls us, the struggles we
endure and the injustices that are perpetuated from generation to
generation. Some say it is uncontrolled
“desire” that is the problem with humanity.
Others suggest it is the unappeased anger of malevolent gods. Still others suggest it is our lack of
obedience to the dictates of God. Christians
say that the problem with humanity is sin.
The story of Adam and Eve’s decision to eat the forbidden
fruit in the Garden of Eden also suggests a diagnosis for the human
condition. The problem, according to
this archetypal story, is that the first humans succumbed to the temptation to
“be like God.” To know good and
evil. That is, to know everything. If the humans knew everything, then they wouldn’t
need God, would they? And, therein lies the problem. First, in the many, many chapters that follow
(the whole rest of the bible) we learn that we humans are deluding ourselves
if we think we can be gods unto ourselves. Second, by trying to be gods unto ourselves,
we wind up reject the very blessing God
offers us: a caring, loving,
compassionate relationship with our creator.
There is deep and powerful truth in this story. Today, we humans still want to be gods unto ourselves. We want to have things our way. We insist on defining ourselves and making
our own rules. We resist authority and reject
the wisdom of others. We want to be in
control. We want to make our own
blessings and not rely on God to bless us.
Sadly, this desire to be in control of ourselves still leaves us naked,
exposed, and ultimately alone. Worse,
the desire to control ourselves often leads us to want to control others… particularly those who are different than we
are, or who hold different opinions, or perspectives or lifestyles… with
dangerous, violent and deadly results.
In Philippians, Paul teaches that Jesus showed us a
different way to be human. In 2:5-7,
Paul says,
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ‘who,
though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something
to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in
human likeness.”
This is the exact opposite of Adam and Eve’s story. Through his life, death and resurrection,
Jesus shows us a way of being human that focuses on service to others. He shows us a life that doesn’t aspire to the
power and control of divinity but embraces our common humanity. A humanity who, Genesis teaches, God created
to care for the earth and for one another.
What would it look like, I wonder, if we quit trying to be
god’s unto ourselves, and truly worked at being human to one another? Humans
who live lives of care, compassion and service.
Humans who were filled with humble gratitude for God’s abundant
blessings and then used those blessings for the sake of others?
Personally, I think the world would be a much happier place.
Peace,
Bishop Mike
Please keep praying for peace with justice, reconciliation
and the healing of God’s world.
Thanks for reading.
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