Acknowledging a Person’s Whole Self
“I see God as life, force, spirit, power, and presence. It’s an energy which we can connect to in others and in ourselves. So it’s beyond good and bad. For me the core of this energy and presence is love and wisdom, which hopefully leads to good actions, certainly good intentions.
When we reach out to that of God in somebody, that involves listening to them and understanding them, and acknowledging them in their whole self and me in my whole self. So if people say to me, ‘Where can we find that of God in somebody who we have issues with?’ I say it’s about the potential in them, the potential for love and wisdom. When people are angry and do dreadful things out of anger and fear, to just say, ‘Well, it’s bad,’ is to deny their experience. Why are they like that? How can we change that relationship? How can we connect to them?”
— Ruth Tod
Quaker peace activist
Today’s Invitation
See the potential for love and wisdom in those you disagree with.
This Week’s Query
How do you remain open to “that of God in everyone?”
When has God spoken to you from an unexpected source?
Read the source of today’s quote
Banner art by Arla Patch
