Author: Olga Victoria
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
My Mom has been a Christian for as long as I know her. We’ve been praying together every day as I was growing, we were going to the church and also a small Bible study group every week. Our faith in the Lord was giving us hope and strength. I would never ever end up living here If I didn’t believe in God and in His promises to me.
As I was growing, I was taught to think certain things about my religion and I could never question anything. I was told how exactly God is and what He does…
So I thought I knew it all.
One day I was told about the analogy of a shoe and I saw some wisdom in it.
If a man stepped on the ants and if the sole of the shoe had different colors on it, the ants would see the man based on the color of the sole they would be in. One ant would say “The man is blue’, the other would say “No, he is yellow”, the third would say “He is white”, and I thought that analogy applied so much to my faith.
We all see God the way we see ourselves. The truth is He is so much bigger than we can ever comprehend.
When I went to Orthodox Church in Russia, people were mourning there over the death of Christ. In the middle of the church there was a picture of God with His frowning face. He looked angry. People were not allowed to go to the church with their make up on, they had to cover their head and keep icons in their homes at all times. That’s was their only way of worshiping God.
Now, when I go to the Baptist church here in US, everyone rejoices over Christ’s resurrection and our eternal life. People are dancing and singing. They are happy. That’s the way their see the Lord and their religion.
And then I though about other religions and the way they see God and I realized they are also different. Whether you go to the North, to the South, to West or the East of the World you will experience many ways of worshiping God and giving Him glory. You’ll see different traditions, holidays and rituals.
So, I learned that not only different churches of the same religion, but different countries and cultures have their own way of seeing the Lord.
The ability to compare different cultures taught me not to judge other religions, but respect them. I’m honored to follow Jesus and I love Him with all my heart, but I do realize how insignificant we are, how huge the world is, how many billions of people live on the Earth and how many ways of seeing God exist!
I don’t think we should be afraid of questioning things and reflecting on that. I believe we can know the truth and even get closer to Him by willing to learn more and accept the fact that we don’t know much.
I do know though that He is real and He does love us all no matter what origins we have!
I believe that God respects all our efforts to connect with Him.
He loves us.
We are His.
Olga
teachmekindness.com 