The First Commandment

The following commentaries on the Ten Commandments are not meant to be theological exegesis but are insights gleaned from meditation and contemplation. As with all I write, take what you like and leave the rest. I invite you all to sit in contemplation of these commandments and invite the Spirit of God to reveal their meaning to you.

First Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Have Any Gods Before Me

In order for me to comprehend this commandment, I needed a deep understanding of God. I had been taught and believed that God was the Creator of the Universe, of the seen and unseen. God was redeemer, powerful, loving; yet, at the same time judging, punishing and to be feared. I prayed to this God almost daily and was a faithful church attendee.

However, I did not feel really connected to God but I was sure that I did not put any other Gods before the Only God.

Therefore, I was surprised when my first spiritual director stated, “God is what you focus most of your time and energy on.” At this point in my life, my primary focus was myself. I was consumed with getting what I wanted when I wanted it. I was in control of my destiny, my life. I was the center of my Universe and received all of my own attention. According to my spiritual director’s definition, I was my own God. Wow.

The interesting thing was my life was filled with fear, angst and worry. My god (myself) did not give me confidence, hope or peace of mind.

It was during this time I received a letter from an anonymous source which said, “Becky, There is a God and you are not it.” This was an Ah-HA moment for me.

This was my first encounter with reflecting on the First Commandment which I had obviously already broken.

What do you spend the most time focusing on?

© Becky Benes 3-2011

There is a Plan: Good and Bad

God has a plan and the plan is Good. This has been my personal mantra for over 15 years.

Life is but an illusion of interpretations, everyone seeing life through their own life experiences. Some events to one person may seem devastating while to another seems a blessing.

Early in my life, I seemed to see most things as bad. I followed Murphy's Law, if anything can go wrong, it will go wrong. As I began to awaken to the Truth that God created all things including me and called them Good, I questioned my belief.

If God created all as Good, why would God institute a law which ensured bad things to happen to creation? This question allowed me to open myself to change. I began using my mantra, God has a plan and the plan is Good. To my amazement, my life began to take a turn for the better. People who know me will tell you that only good things happen to me and my family.

Murphy's Law no longer has dominion in my life.

What changed? What I said to myself and what I expected out of life. We have the power within ourselves to create our own reality.

What reality are you creating?