Devotional 12-2-10

Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together, Lord.
Bind us together in love.

There is only one God.
There is only one king.
There is only one body.
That is why we sing.

The Faith We Sing hymnal, No. 2226

Recently, I read an excellent book by Nicholas Wade entitled The Faith Instinct. I was able to identify two major premises in Mr. Wade’s writing: First, that mankind instinctively strives to communicate with the supernatural — i.e., with a higher power; and secondly, that having a religion in common has survival value for the members of a community.

We know from the few groups that still exist that the primitive hunter-gatherers would go into frenzied dancing and singing to induce a state of trace or coma in which dreams or visions would occur — purporting to be from the great spirits, etc. Down through the ages various peoples have invented gods, created idols, worshiped animals (lions, bulls, cats, etc). Rulers have many times, in many places, dictated that such-and-such a religion would be the national religion and that all of their subjects must follow this religion and no other. Every society developed their own deities in order to solicit help, blessings and favors from “other worlds.” (Aren’t we fortunate that the one true God has revealed himself to us and that he sent his son to live among us and be our example for living?)

Mr. Wade’s second theme is that for all members of a clan or society to worship the same deity has survival values for that group. A common religion tends to bind its members closer together — making it easier to work together, hunt together, build together and, yes, even make war together.

So is it any wonder that Bob Gillman, the composer of our introductory hymn, would ask God “bind us together in love”?

Now let’s try changing our point of view — a different perspective. Imagine, if you will, that you are our creator. You have finally achieved the pinnacle of evolution and created humans in your own image. Wouldn’t it make sense to equip this species with a desire to communicate with you? After all, you did create them — they should want to thank you, if nothing else.

So, apparently, we are so equipped — let’s do it. And, let us remind ourselves that at least half of communication is listening.

A Prayer by Thomas à Kempis:

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening….

In days gone by the children of Israel said to Moses, “Speak to us, and we shall listen; do not let the Lord speak to us, lest we die.” This is not how I pray, Lord. No. With the great prophet Samuel, I humbly and earnestly beg: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” So, do not let Moses speak to me, but you, O Lord, my God, eternal truth, you speak to me. If I hear your voice, may I not be condemned for hearing the word and not following it, for knowing it and not loving it, or believing it and not living it. Speak then, Lord for your servant listens, for you have the words of eternal life. Speak to me, to comfort my soul and to change my whole life; in turn, may it give you praise and glory and honor, forever and ever.

Amen.

Charlie Lewis