Seeing The Divine In One Another

Lately, I have had difficulty seeing past the surface regarding the words, social media posts, and actions of some of our elected leaders and fellow citizens. 

Before I went to seminary and embarked on a career serving in ministry, I was training to be a historian on track to obtain a PhD.  As a budding historian, I realized that the old adage "Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" was grounded in truth.  

So, when I see the way that things are in our country right now and the rhetoric that gets bandied about, I can't help but wonder if anyone is reading history anymore, or if they are, whether it's a revisionist version, carefully curated to shore up their world view. 

When I operate from that space, I can easily demonize some folks and be unwilling to look any deeper than the surface to uncover why they do and say what they do.  

I also don't take a good, hard look in the mirror.  Because if I did, I'm afraid that I might discover that I am more like the people I am demonizing than I would like to admit.  

Ironically, I  preach and teach that each of us is instilled with a spark of the Divine, created in the image of God, and cherished by this same God, despite the ways that we do our best to hold that God at arm's length.  

Sometimes, I need to hear my own sermons.  

You see, in a world often divided by differing beliefs and perspectives, recognizing the spark of the Divine in each person becomes a powerful act of compassion. 

Author Mark Nepo’s reflection, “The art of being human is to look far enough into you that I see myself,” invites us to explore the profound connection we share, inviting us to go beyond surface disagreements to discover a shared humanity. 

This journey requires introspection and vulnerability, reminding us that we are all mirrors to one another, reflecting both light and shadow.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about judgment: “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3). 

This admonition serves as a powerful reminder that our tendency to critique others often blinds us to our own imperfections. To see the Divine in others, we must acknowledge our flaws, recognizing that judgment often stems from the need to distract ourselves from our issues. 

Understanding this helps us appreciate that everyone, regardless of their actions or beliefs, carries the essence of the divine spark within them.

In her book Insight, Tasha Eurich beautifully encapsulates this notion, stating, “Self-awareness is not a destination, but a journey.” This journey is rich with opportunities for growth and understanding, inviting us to empathize rather than condemn. 

When we are aware of our own humanity—our struggles, fears, and joys—we become more compassionate towards the humanity in others. With every disagreement, we can choose to see beyond opposing ideologies and recognize the humanity that binds us.

The challenge becomes consciously adopting the mantra, “What I see in you, I see in me.” This simple statement encourages us to reflect on our judgments and biases. 

When we view others through this lens, we begin to uncover the common threads of experience and emotion that connect us all—fear, love, hope, and a desire for acceptance. Disagreements may persist, but our approach to them can shift from one of division to one of understanding and kindness.

Let us strive to remember that everyone is on their own journey, grappling with their own challenges and seeking their own truth. 

When we embrace the belief that we share a deeper connection, we inject love into our interactions, fostering a spirit of unity amidst diversity. 

Our challenge is not just to see the Divine spark in others but to recognize that it also exists within ourselves. In doing so, we align our perceptions and, in turn, transform our world into a more compassionate and understanding place, one interaction at a time.

May we live more fully into this challenge, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.