Oftentimes, we act as though God - the Great Mystery - is a sort of object appearing in front of our gaze. This approach is understandable, given the fact that this is the way we approach most of the other things we want to know. In truth, however, God is more like a Light - a spiritual Sun - appearing BEHIND both us and all other creatures, shining the light of love on us in order to make us glow. Ever humble, the divine Sun wants to draw attention not to himself, but to the divinity of each being who inhabits this amazing world.
But what about those times - especially during moments of revelation - when the divine Sun does indeed seem to appear in front of our gaze? Then, surely, we are meant to see God as an OBJECT of awareness? In truth, even during those times, we are not actually meant to focus our attention on an objectified God, just as we are unable to gaze directly at the physical daystar when it appears in front of us on a sunny day. Instead, the purpose of the Great Mystery during these times when It seems to appear in front of us is to BACKLIGHT all other creatures, making them glow as never before.
As every photographer and artist knows, things appear more radiant when they are backlit than when the Sun is shining in front of them. Similarly, God seems to take great delight in drawing our attention to the full glory of each and every one of his creatures, even when he seems - momentarily - to appear in front of our gaze, thus tempting us to treat him as an object of awareness. During these times, his purpose is not to call attention to himself, but to backlight all things in the warmth of divine love, allowing them to reveal their divinity most fully. Such is the profound humility of God.
Photo: Wild Plum (pink), Three-leaved Sumac (orange) and Fremont Cottonwood (gold) appear - backlit - in all of their glory; Lory State Park, CO; October 15, 2012
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