I suspect one of the reasons nonbelievers remain on the fringes of organized religion is because they view the Bible as something filled with untruths. For example, in Genesis, we hear the creation story. Seven days. Really? Something out of nothing. Really? How can this be? Science reveals we have been around much longer. So, what's the deal? Let's begin with what you and I both know – we exist. Yes, we were created. But how? Was this random or did someone create us? I happen to believe we were created by an all-knowing and all-loving being. I believe we were created in love. There is a theory that this all-loving being shared a thought about creating us with other beings that this being, God, created prior to us. These angels are 100% spiritual in nature so they have no physical bodies. The theory is that this may have caused a rebellion in the spiritual world. The idea was these angels would serve man once created in the image of the Creator. That didn't go well with the angels who believed they shouldn't lower themselves and serve man. These angels were kicked out. Then, God created us. Was it seven days? No. That is a poetic way of showing that God could have an idea, create based on his idea, and, poof, we were on the planet. In fact, God is still creating. Science and God do not have to be apart. Science explains God's brush strokes.
The dark angels didn't like us showing up on the planet so one of them tempted our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, to break the rules set up for their benefit. What happened next messed up everything. Like the dark angels who refused to obey God, our first ancestors were captured by the first of God's rebel angels. Everything has been a hot mess since we were captured.
The rescue is God's response to our fall from grace. It was planned even before all of us were created. The plan was to set apart a chosen group of people and prepare them for the rescue plan to be initiated. That's what the Old Testament is all about. First, the creation story. Next, the capture, and then, our Creator slowly revealing himself to his Chosen Ones.
How did the rescue happen? Well, it was done so perfectly that not even the Chosen Ones could see it even when it was right in front of them. That's the time period believers are in now beginning with today, Ash Wednesday, where believers are reminded, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." We are preparing ourselves to see God's rescue plan unfold once again as it was over 2,000 years ago. The rescue plan was carried out and we are now free. All debts are forgiven, not by anything we do, but by the Son of God becoming man and dying on the Cross for all our transgressions.
What is the final step of the plan? It's our response. We are asked to share God's love story with others. The rescue plan has no meaning if we don't respond to God's perfect love for us and share this with others who think all of this is a fairy tale.
If you happen to be a non-believer, ask yourself one question, "What if I'm wrong?" I personally have been asking this question over and over in one area of my life where I believe I have been misled by people who should know better. This happens to be in the area of food. Maybe, just maybe, you might be enlightened when you explore the idea that there is a God. If you are a believer, maybe this period of time leading up to Easter Sunday can be a time of great reflection. Have a great day.
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