Nature, Relationships, and God

Reflecting back on the “Perfect Nature” store that I came across earlier this week—I continue my theological musings. Nature in its purest form is uncomfortable. The muck and mire and uncomfortable aspects of life are part of our real relationship with the rest of Creation—at least with the physical elements. We bypass much of this uncomfortable stuff by “perfecting” ourselves with manufactured artifice; clothing, et-cetera. Perhaps the same can be said about relationships with people.

Think about the relationships with the people that you love the most. Are you always happy with these people? Do they challenge you? Do they make you sad, angry, fearful, and joyful? A genuine relationship reveals all of these experiences at one time or another. It isn’t all puppy dogs and ice cream. You aren’t afraid to get angry, sad, or glad in front of someone in a “real” relationship. A real relationship is guttural, raw, and intimate. As religious leaders and teachers our relationships with God are often “clothed” – idealized. We have trouble getting upset, mad, or even with God. These idealized relationships are not genuine—any real relationship has to be honest and open—even down to the nitty gritty emotions. Consider your relationship with God. Is it genuine…or veiled? A casual reading of the book of Job invites interpreters of Scripture to have a real relationship with God. Who would have thought that the store “Perfect Nature” would be useful for something more than fancy bamboo plants and LCD naturescapes. Hah!

-Dan