Article September 16, 1996 Issue

God's child: not disadvantaged

Jim Fabian

I Was riding on the subway in a large city. Mechanical problems stalled the train, and passengers were advised to find alternate transport above ground. Heading toward a bus stop, I saw people sleeping in doorways, panhandlers, street people with physical and mental infirmities. Other men and women in business attire appeared oblivious to them. As I waited for a bus, I strongly desired to see everyone as Christ Jesus must have understood those around him—to be complete, spiritual, the creations of God.

This wasn't easy. It came to a point I just wanted to escape those surroundings, and that impulse seemed to be overpowering my attempt to grasp the concept of man's perfection as God's child. I prayed earnestly for inspiration. Within moments, a woman carrying an infant passed by. The child was clean, well cared for, happy. "What a pure child this is!" I thought.

Then it hit me: everyone on this sidewalk had been an infant at one time, and probably appeared as pure, innocent, and happy as this child. More important, I realized that these so-called disadvantaged individuals had not lost their spiritual purity, innocence, and integrity as the offspring of God, divine Love. Neither could their beauty as the children of divine Soul be obscured from me or from them. Everyone surrounding me—whether in rags or in business clothes—was actually the expression of God, and I could see each person as such. The cloud of gloom lifted as I realized I was surrounded by those whom God loved. They could not help reflecting Love and expressing their integrity as Love's children.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Beatitudes: God is the source of true happiness