Objectivity Revisited

"Spiritual identity means we are not what we do or what people say about us. And we are not what we have. We are the beloved daughters and sons of God." Henri Nouwen

Unfortunately, we live in a world that seems to believe or preach quite a contrary message.  Namely, that how we look, what type of possessions we have, how much wealth we possess, how others think of us, or our external circumstances ultimately define us.

Despite the constant drum beat to look a certain way, or have a certain type of possession, or to accumulate more overall, or to make sure we look a certain way (physically, socially, professionally, or spiritually) to other people, God sees us for who we are: in the words of Henri Nouwen, "Beloved daughters and sons of God."

This teaching is not just found in Genesis chapter 1, but throughout the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Latter-day scripture affirms "That by [Christ], and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." (D&C 76:24)

One of the first encounters young Latter-day Saints have with this idea is in the beloved hymn, "I Am a Child of God".

Along the same lines, but with perhaps a more expansive vision, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" states: "All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny."

Do we exemplify these teachings to all of God's children?  Do we strive to be the living embodiment of these pleasing words of Christ?

In the world today, including those within our social orbit, there are those that struggle.  There are those in physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual pain.  Do we accept these as our neighbors?  Do we, figuratively or literally, walk on by as did the Levite and the Priest in the parable of the Good Samaritan, viewing the person as "other" and as primarily an object, a test or an obstacle for us to move onto something more pressing?  Or do we, like the Good Samaritan, first and foremost have compassion on those who struggle, and sacrifice time, energy, and effort to bind up wounds?

One of the implications of this principle that all of us are eternal beings of divine parents is that we are all linked: we are all related, connected, have much in common, and should have many reasons to care for each other.

God sends Good Samaritans out into the world.  He sends messengers, people who God can speak and act through to bind up the broken-hearted and strengthen the feeble knees: to do the work He would do if He were here.

May we desire to be among these messengers that lift the hands that hang down, that bring tidings of great joy, to bring the preparation of the Gospel of peace to a world very much in need of it!