Day: Twenty
Organization: 5P21 Clinic/Hollywood United Methodist Church
Activity: Lunch Prep & Service
I can’t believe it’s day 20 already, amazing how quickly time can go by. Today, I worked with members of my church, Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC), preparing and serving lunch for people with HIV/AIDS who are patients at the 5P21 clinic in Los Angeles. HUMC has been doing this and other outreach for decades and I am so happy I had the opportunity to assist.
While I normally use this space to write about my daily experience, what I learned or my personal feelings on the topic of the day, I am not going to do that today. Instead, I am going to share with you my feelings on God. Why? I am doing it for my 11-year-old niece, who said to me “Uncle Brad, you should have spent one of your days helping your church, so you could tell people why you love God.” So, Morgan this is for you — thanks for inspiring me!
God doesn’t seem to be a big part of conversations these days, for some reason I think people are afraid to express their views. What is part of the dialog is religion, but it is mostly used to divide people, not bring them together. To me, that is exactly what God does not stand for. For those who believe in God, regardless of what you call “him” or what religious doctrine you study, it is the belief in a higher being that makes us similar, makes us connected. And, in order to truly honor that belief, one must stop judging and questioning others for how they worship, provided they are bringing no harm to others.
I do not fear God, nor do I fear God-induced consequences to my actions. I believe in an all loving God, an entity that is love in its purest form. Thus, I believe in a forgiving God not a vengeful God. I believe in a God who is always speaking to me, to all of us. A God who wants the best for us, but allows us to define “best” on our own. I believe in a God who leads, but does not force. A God who comforts, but does not pity. A God who created and loves me, thus making me worthy.
I believe there are many ways to honor God and I feel that service to others is one of those ways. Do I feel “called” to serve, perhaps. I know I feel passionate about making this world better and inspiring others to do the same, so if that is my calling, I think I am on the right track.
Another way to honor God is through worship and I am very blessed to have found the Hollywood United Methodist Church to call my spiritual home. It is a church that “believes that God is LOVE, that all people are welcome and equal in the family of God, and that God is for us, not against us.” HUMC is referred to as “progressive” because of this welcoming approach — funny, I don’t think there is anything progressive about it, I think it’s just Godly.
So, there are some of my thoughts on God. I am proud to say that I believe in and love “him.” And, I am so proud of my Goddaughter for asking me to share those beliefs and love with you. God bless.