What does it mean to belong; I mean really belong? Every living creature is made in God’s image and God’s plan. We all belong. From the tiniest red ant to the grandest blue whale, God makes every molecule. We all belong to God’s kingdom, God’s creation. Every creature serves Gods purpose. That means us! That means them!
We are a reflection of the utterly amazing differences of God’s creation; if we really look closely, we recognize God in all that we see. Why can’t we see this basic truism? If we honestly believe that God is the creator, then we must see the value in all of His creation. Why do I carefully capture a spider and place it on a plant in my garden, when I simply crush an ant I find near my kitchen sink? I ask myself this question may times.
I invest in the lives of all people I meet. I believe that faith is the recognition of the value of all humankind. I look to the example and the leadership of Jesus and strive to duplicate how He treated all of the people He met. . . and cared for. My faith lies in my ability to accept what God tells me and trust in the faithfulness of others. It is simple; all I must do is remember that I am no more valuable to God than another is.
I understand why Jesus came into our midst and why He continues to appear every Christmas. We must learn to re-love those around us. We must go into the communities where people live and suffer. We must see their misery; but we must also see their faith.
Jesus saw and understood. We see and don’t understand. Our eyes are clouded by our own well-being. Our eyes are clouded by our own greed. We do not need to be billionaires to be greedy. We just need to be selfish. We need to open our eyes to God’s value for all creation.
Perhaps it is as simple as that. God is calling us to open our eyes!
©Russell Kendall Carter
Meditating to Heal 
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