Possibilities

The mystery of God is the most intriguing mystery of all mysteries, but for us the mystery of mankind runs second to it.  The two mysteries may be joined, and when they are we say the connection is faith based with the proofs embedded in the person of faith, and identified in a pattern of belief and conduct that offer clues to both self and others relative to the truth or falsity of the identified faith.  The key to the vestibule of the solution to the mystery is found somewhere in free life.  All life comes from God and to study that life in a context that includes more than physical (nature) existence will take us farther along in understanding the mysteries that tug at our minds relative to answering questions about: who we are and, what is or, who we may become?  What is beyond the verifiable facts of our existence?  Much of human preoccupation is already engaged in the implications of that identification, and what we ought to do about emerging information.  Life mystery, in the human context is partly known, but we work feverishly to find and interpret the unknowns.  Teachers in their experience and scholarship, both secular and sacred in purpose, work at it.  Medical scientists work at it, from nutritionists (natural/chemical/elemental) to physicians/psychologists/sociologists (extra-natural/chemical/compound).  Persons believing additionally in a spiritual meaning in it all seek out the projections of meaning found in other disciplines of knowledge, add their logics to it, and depend on what they believe to be revelation that may be found in wise persons who may claim, perhaps not necessarily, that the revelation came from God.  (For example: Daniel received a revelation from God, did not really understand it except that it came from God, was told to go on his way so to leave the matter as God would have it – Daniel 12:8-9.)  Other faiths than the Judeo-Christian have similar stories to tell about their sources and beliefs/practices.  (The blessing or peril is in the choices and follow up.  All mysteries have clues related that lead nowhere, but dead ends do not disprove that one or more of the clues hold out hope for information, perhaps solution to the mystery of concern.)

Scripture affirms the mystery of God, and that relates to mankind.  We are the only ones who can register mystery, which is a lifeline to us that God is, even if we need some search to find him. Scripture makes clear that he has high regard for persons wise enough to take seriously birth, life, age and death to decide on God’s relationship to the journey and mankind – from beginning to the end.  Life is now, not past or future, but now.  Eternity is the forever present, and we can sense that even if we don’t know quite how to account for it.  God likes to be known as: I AM.  He announces it, with force, to Moses (Exodus 6:14), and to the Apostle John with inclusion of all time dimensions as related to his present presence (Revelation 1:8).  For Moses it was an announcement following some striking occurrences, and doubts about an involved and caring God.  If Christianity would make God generic and impersonal, the response would be more acceptable to the masses in that earthly performance would not make any difference about who God is, and whatever he does.  If God is not personal to life, Christianity is in error.  If God is not personal, whatever it is that we are makes no difference.  We would claim a father who abandoned his children, a concept God identifies as wrong.  He is the author of faithfulness, so to every son and daughter of the first parents to whom he vouchsafed lives, lives in soul-consciousness bearing his image.  That image is invisible in him and invisible in us.  In the physical package of the human being he is alive in a creative gesture measured by the laws of nature (also his creation), but in Christ he is alive in the adoption of any person monitored and responsive to the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:15-16)  Does that sound like mystery?  It certainly does.

It may be too much for some persons to accept.  If I were a part of doubt context I hope I would find out why I was negative, even negative in a kindly way, to the magnificence of the redemptive gospel of Jesus Christ.  One should give serious attention to a claim followed by masses of people for centuries who believe that there is a way to resolve the mysteries of God so to be consciously present always in the presence of God.  If I don’t believe I want that, I won’t bother – so the responsibility is mine to follow divine clues.   I need the help of God to believe.  He promised aid if I choose to search.