Text Box: Interfaith Celebration Gathering Sunday, November 5, 2000 Interfaith Celebration Gathering Service Service agenda: Opening Prayer Readings Message OPENING PRAYER: Dear Mother, Father, Great Spirit, God, please hear my prayer. Please help me understand why I am here. I ask this knowing that all I need do is ask and it is granted. AMEN READINGS: There is no fruit which is not bitter before it is ripe. Publilius Syrus If you want to become whole, let yourself be partial. If you want to become straight, let yourself be crooked. If you want to become full, let yourself be empty. If you want to be reborn, let yourself die. If you want to be given everything, give up everything. Lao Tsu in Tao Te Ching MESSAGE: Why Me? There are probably few people who has been stricken with a chronic illness or some other overwhelming life circumstance who have not at some point wondered, “Why me, God? Why, in Your infinite wisdom, have You chosen to create such hardship in my life?” “I have not raped, murdered, pillaged or looted my neighbors. In fact, God, I have gone out of my way to do my best to be a decent person. Why did this have to happen to me? Have I sinned such that I need this awful thing as punishment? Don’t I deserve a good life without pain, sorrow and sadness? How could you possibly have let all this happen to me?” When all these questions are asked, if we listen very intently in the stillness, we might hear the following answer. “Dearly beloved, while I did not create your present circumstances, I am right here beside you to help you through them. Your travail evolved out of your desire to grow. While you were yet an angel, before you took human form, you declared that you wanted to learn the most lessons possible while you were on earth. Even now you realize that humankind does not grow from safety and security, only from adversity. Think how much more aware of that you were when you were here with me planning your earthly journey. Of course, adversity viewed from this side does not look nearly as overwhelming as adversity seen from your current perspective, so you may have scheduled a bit more than you currently feel comfortable handling. Growth is the whole purpose of your earthly journey, beloved one. You have chosen to grow enough on this trip so that you can learn to serve rather than being served, to give rather than taking, and to spread love wherever you go. Think of the people you most admire—do they not fit this description? Beloved, please understand that you have the ability to grow into this description yourself. Why, even as I speak, you are becoming more and more like these brothers and sisters you so admire. The lessons you are now learning could not have been learned without travail. Coal does not transform into a diamond without pressure. Likewise, only the irritation of sand in an oyster’s shell inspires it to produce a pearl. Beloved, you ask “Why me?” and I answer, because you are special. You have chosen to learn lessons far above and beyond those learned by many whose feet undertake the earthly journey. You have chosen to serve in ways that others cannot yet serve. Dear one, surely you know that in handling your huge challenges you are inspiring others to cope with their lesser challenges. Out of your boundless love for your brothers and sisters, you have agreed to teach the lessons of unwavering faith, inner strength, and the will to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. I bless you for your willingness to serve in this manner. You, dearly beloved, are truly special. You are a gift to all you meet.” AMEN © 2000 Rev. S. Suzanne Fisher