When I ask myself that question, the answer is NO. But then I have to ask: What does it mean to believe? And who or what does the name GOD refer to? For answers (for today) I have three references:
1) Stories: the Bible, all scripture, religion(s), testimonies
2) Nature: the immensity, continuity, imagination, and mystery of creation; the “laws” of physics; the precision of mathematics; and more.
3) Personal experience: moments, including poetry, where I have felt spoken to by a spiritual presence; awe and wonder; love.
“Believing” means trusting that all the above references confirm fundamental experiences in human life and thought–truth, if you will. Who can cancel history? Who can refute trees? Who can deny gravity? Who can explain love?
“God” means whatever compels me to ask these questions! The mystery never ends. And the final mystery–death itself–might not even be the end of my life.
A CLOUD DESCENDS
It closes in, the pale surround
of morning fog. It hugs the ground
and shimmers in the silver trace
of spiderworks that interlace
the branchy cedars all around.
I hear its subtle dripping sound.
As though to be in mourning gowned,
a veil of gray across my face,
it closes in
a timeless interlude beyond
my other world where griefs abound,
that cloud and spirit now replace
with solitude. A form of grace,
It closes in.
Barbara Loots
Dickinson Island
Photo by John Saynor
2 Responses
Very nice! In a misty, cloudy, mysterious sort of way. Which describes much of our existence, I think!
You have put into beautiful words exactly what i am pondering these days. Thank you!