Faith Post #5

BIG "G" OR LITTLE "g"

A few days ago I was invited by my friend to attend the first church service of of his best friend and the best friend's wife. They are a celebrity couple who used to attend the church of a host of other celebrities. Now they are pastors. At first I didn't plan to attend the service but my friend emailed and called me to ensure that I'd be there. After all he was doing his best to help his friends make sure that their service was widely attended. So although late, I did show up.

Now, I grew up in a Pentecostal church back in New York that I discovered during my teen years was not only a popular place of worship, and a great place to learn about the bible, it was and to this day still is a strong social network. The friendships and historical ties date back generations. It's a lovely history to have.

I have seen my fair share of celebrities come and go through my old church which was fun to have been a part but as an adult I must say that I don't just let my practical mind be taken over by faith when anyone begins a ministry. Is it any of my business? No. Do people claim to hear from God [ big G] that it is their time to begin a ministry? Sure. Does it cross my mind that some people get into the ministry because it is and will always be a good business? Sure. Does a part of me believe that the ministry is a platform to satisfy one's ego [little g]? Absolutely.

I am happy for anyone who has discovered their "calling." Anyone who has a passion/heart to serve others - GREAT!! Dealing with people is not easy in any way. If you choose to devote your life to that, awsome. More power to you. On the same token I've witnessed monumental pain and scandal created by people to claim to have been "called" by God [big G].

Now I do believe in a source/a creator because of my upbringing. I choose to acknowledge the source as God [big G]. For me there is too much evidence in the world of the existence of a creator to not believe in one. I'm not losing my ultimate faith in a source I'm just very observant of human nature. That can be labeled as cynical. If it makes folks comfortable to think of me that way, fine. It is a very limiting title but it disarms people and stops them from probing into me.

Why do people do what they do? Say what they say? Behave the way they behave? Writing that off as human nature is really dismissive. It's the ulterior motive in humans that encourages me to probe into others. Anyway I was late to the service so I missed the sermon. Everyone was so warm, they encouraged me to attend again, with friends, to support their ministry. I just might have to do that to make a fair assessment.

Big "G" or little "g" ? ... stay tuned.