Heartbeat of God
Just imagine if we were in the place where we could hear the heartbeat of God. What an unbelievable privilege .
This morning I want to talk with you about a book I am reading, titled ‘Listening for the heartbeat of God, A Celtic spirituality ‘ written by J. Philip Newell. Newell is a poet, peacemaker, minister, and scholar. He “teaches and preaches internationally on themes related to the sacredness of the earth and the oneness of the human soul.” (1)
I have been reading this book on and off for the last several months, a page or two at a time, followed by long periods of prayer and reflection. The subject matter is such that it must sink into my sinews and seep down into my very bones, before I can move on to the next page or two. The foundation of this book is rooted in 4th and 5th century Celtic lore and spirituality, in which the Celts embraced John’s Gospel and his viewpoint of Christ, which emphasizes Love as the path to salvation.
John’s Gospel was understood by the Celts as one of love and “the expectation of finding God within.”(2) The Celts held the view that all of God’s creation was essentially good and reflected the goodness of God. The Celts embraced the concept that the heartbeat of God can be heard in All of God’s creation. All living things that God created echo His heartbeat. Therefore the “emphasis on the essential goodness of Creation” (3) is at the center of Celtic spirituality. Celtic Spirituality “ is characterized by the expectation of finding God within, of hearing the Living Voice of God speaking within ourselves.” (4) “It is a spirituality that recognizes the Authority of St. John and reflects his way of looking and Listening for God.” (5)
Pelagius, a 4th century monk with Celtic origins, had a large impact on early Celtic spirituality as well. Pelagius wrestled with the concept of being righteous before God. His focus was mainly on the relationship between us and Adam, and concluded that being righteous before God was completely up to us. The original sin of Adam did not apply to the rest of humanity. He maintained that all humans have Free Will, as did Adam, and we can make the righteous choice. Needless to say, this was indeed radical thinking for the 4th century time period. So radical, in fact, that Augustine challenged and repudiated Pelagius’ teachings and led a movement that resulted in Pelagius being condemned at the Council of Carthage in 418. Although Pelagius was condemned by the Church for His radical views, those ideas lived on and became a part of the foundation of Celtic spirituality.
It is a rare occasion for me to find a spiritual viewpoint that I can align myself with . But this is one that speaks to the very core of what I believe, and have always believed, about God and all of His creation. When I am in the midst of all that God created, usually on the back of a horse, I find myself totally awestruck at the magnificent beauty of nature. I see and hear the heartbeat of God all around me. It is not a stretch from that point to believe in the essential goodness of ALL creation. When I am surrounded by nature and God’s creation it is always a time spent in deeper reflection on God, Life, and Love.
But of all God’s Creations, we humans are the only creatures with FREE WILL. And though I acknowledge that mankind is essentially good, sometimes reluctantly so I must admit, I also acknowledge man’s free will. Humans have the capacity to do great good, and also the capacity to do great harm. It seems as though mankind co-exists with the heart of a lamb and the heart of a raging beast. Which one of these two wins dominion over the heart? The strong one will win, and the strong one is the one we feed and nurture.
This book, Listening for the heartbeat of God, is not a revelation for me. It is an affirmation for me.
The following are some of the ideas I choose to believe:
ALL OF CREATION, EVERY LIVING THING, REFLECTS THE ESSENTIAL GOODNESS OF GOD, THE HEARTBEAT OF GOD.
HUMANS, WITH THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS, CAN MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICES.
THE ESSENTIAL GOODNESS OF HUMANITY IS NOT TOTALLY ERASED WITH ADAM’S FALL.
I BELIEVE IN ANGELS.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE AND EVERYONE DESERVES FORGIVENESS.
I BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Footnotes
1. Wikipedia John Philip Newell
2. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
3. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
4. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
5. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
6. Listening For the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
7. Listening For the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
2. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
3. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
4. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
5. Listening for the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
6. Listening For the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
7. Listening For the Heartbeat of God, John Philip Newell
