Lenten Meditation for Today : Realities?

Each of us wrestle with trying to understand our reality. Countless books, theses, sermons, and other works have studied and expressed their views. Those reading these words likely believe that there is a physical reality in which we are journeying, but there also exists a spiritual reality which we are trying to understand. Some believe that reality is only a perception and reality has no substance beyond our minds. Some believe there is a singular reality which has different images and understanding depending on the perspective of the observer. Can such diverse concepts co-exist, or is one of them degenerate or even possibly flawed? To answer this question fairly would obviously require an onslaught of additional writings and lectures, but is there something which can help tip the scales? All of us of the Christian faith would immediately point to the Bible, and their instinctive and reflexive response would be absolutely true. 

To many, the Bible is a spiritual guide, describing a spiritual reality, a work inspired by God. They most often isolate this spiritual reality from the professed “scientific” physical reality they espouse. They believe these two perspectives are irreconcilable, and maintain a wall of separation which is essentially impenetrable. 

Why? 

The obvious answer comes, “They are irreconcilable.” When we believe something is irreconcilable, we force it to be irreconcilable. We ignore evidence to the contrary of our belief and accept evidence that supports it. But is the irreconcilable nature real or a product of our minds? 

The Lord calls us to think and reason. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord” (Isaiah 1:18). Is this just a spiritual calling? If we accept that our God, our Creator, is the God of Truth, then isn’t there a singular reality? We may not understand it, but it must be singular. Some would argue that there is the reality of the world and the spiritual reality of God. In fact, they are correct, BUT the greater reality is God envelopes both, AND we know whom God cast out of His heavenly realm into the world in which we live, the great deceiver. 

I can hear the bricks piling up: “That’s just a spiritual argument you’re making.” There is truth in that thinking, BUT which is the greater reality: the physical, temporal world in which everything dies and decays, or the spiritual reality where life is eternal in a place of oceanic Love or a place of eternal absence of Love? I’m not going to answer that question, but instead insist that you ponder it, for each of us must freely come to an understanding of their mortality and their spiritual eternity. 

My own journey has been fascinating and overwhelming, changing my perspective dramatically by creating an understanding of a singular reality. For me there is no physical reality which is inconsistent and irreconcilable with my spiritual reality. They are one and the same, the physical contained within the spiritual – not the other way around! I have reviewed much worldly scientific evidence, spiritual accounts, evidence of spiritual existence, the complexity and intricacies of creation itself from the cellular level to the cosmos, and with great joy proclaim, “I have found the fingerprints of the Almighty, a Creator of Infinite, Perfect Love, everywhere without reservation. He is intimately involved in His creation. He has given us free will and will not make a choice any sooner than the instant we have made ours, AND He wants a dialogue with each of us.” 

I am ready to share this understanding the best I can and live his invitation, “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. 

Will you join in this exploration?