Looking

I listening to a young man pour out his heart in music last night.  I found myself caught in his web, sensing and hearing part of his story and journey.  The music was great!  I found myself having him signing one of his CD, discovering in the process how nervous he was to be in and playing in New York.  I shared a few words of encouragement and thanks.  I looked at the CD this morning and discovered his thanks inscribed along with his autograph on the cover.
 
I wonder if his angst will ever be resolved.  He lost a cousin to a cult for six years.  A year or so after she left the cult her younger brother followed her footsteps.  Everywhere around him people are manipulating, shouting, and demanding loyalty in the name of God.  People in position of trust are powerless to stop the process.  God as I know it is there in name, yet I don’t recognize anything familiar about this god.
 
I wish I could tell him about my God.  I wish I could explain that coercion isn’t a part of any God process I know of.  I wish he knew how my God believes in freedom, never manipulation.  There are so many things I hope he discovers.  As I listened there was one ray of hope in his words, he is looking for and at God/gods.  His intent to discover is there.  His willingness to explore appears to be open.  I know he will turn and discover how my God is already waiting and working for his best.
 
In the interim I know what I must do; I must live – fully, completely, and enthusiastically in a way reflective of what God stands for.  I must live for compassion.  I must represent mercy.  I must demonstrate unconditional acceptance.  I must, not for myself or anything that follows, but for God and him.  If someone’s life isn’t reflective how will he see?  How will he hear?  How will he know?
 
“Anyone who looks will see, anyone who listens will hear.”  (Isaiah 32.3)