Ah, I see - I answered rather quickly, "God is not some being floating above us watching us, but is a part of us." His response was one I've heard before, "so if God is a part of us, then I'm God, and you're God, I'm speaking to God." Mmm...(the wheels turning in my head) I see, my quick response was "no," and then, of course, the meeting started.
I've been pondering this brief conversation for a week, and the answer came to me yesterday:
God is both/and. As German Theologian (and my favorite by the way) Paul Tillich would say, God is the ground of our being. Our existence is embedded in God. Other ways to say this: We are made of God-stuff. God is our source. We are planted in God.
So yes, we are a PART of God, but at the same time, we are not God. God is both separate and part. God is both imminent and transcendent. Far away, yet present
If you think about how the Apostle Paul talks about it, we are the body of Christ - each of us with a unique gift, or function, making the body work toward one direction - oneness, and unity with God. Collectively, we can become fully part of God.
Here's the problem, we are broken human beings. Some might argue that's God's fault - that free will is the impetus that makes us make mistakes and sin. I fully disagree with that line of thinking. Free will, the ability to make our own decisions, apart from Jesus, is the greatest gift God has given us. God doesn't want to be a puppet master. Our creator could have but didn't want that role. Instead, God invites us to enter into a relationship on our own accord. God isn't pulling the strings, but God is gently nudging. We get to decide if we want to align with God's will for us.
Here's what happens when we do, we begin the process of becoming a part of God. Once all creation begins to work toward that, then and only then can we imagine becoming one with God. John Wesley calls this, moving onto perfection. Through Jesus, this process has begun. It doesn't mean brokenness no longer exists, but the process (we call it salvation in Christianity) is in the works.
I believe there are people in the world who are working toward becoming perfect, and surrendering, or letting God help them along the way. Unfortunately, I don't see many of these people within the church - in fact, the majority of the people I see working toward becoming one with God are outside the walls of religious establishments... and that is a problem for me. I'm fully aware that God can work miracles outside the walls of churches, so I'm not too worried about it.
So, is God separate? Yes, for now. When we try to fully take control of our lives and leave God on the margins and believe that our lives are ours alone, then yes - God is separate. It doesn't need to be that way, though.
Becoming God, or being fully in relationship with God (my preferred way to say that) is a possibility - in fact, I believe that's where we are headed.
I pray you say YES to the invitation.
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