Salvation?

Yet another interesting week at my house. We are having our bathroom renovated. By a contractor who is an Evangelical Christian. And who also happens to believe that Satan has a personal hate on for him and interferes in his life on a regular basis. In this persons eyes, Satan is the reason he has to struggle on a daily basis just to get by. And I am also reading the Complete Works of H. Emilie Cady (one of the originators of the New Thought movement). What a contrast!

My contractor believes God is something apart form him, to whom he must give over "stewardship" so to speak of his life, and trust God will take care of him. When the Devil isn't busy screwing with him of course. Now, the holes in this theory are big enough to drive trucks through. But this fellow has a sincere belief and he does not want to hear anything different.

Cady, on the other hand, spent her entire life exploring everything she thought she knew as a Christian about God. And she came to some astounding conclusions that have shaped the lives of many people. But she was always willing to listen openly to another viewpoint. And she wasn't looking for anyone or anything to "save" her. Her sincere beliefe was that God can only work through us as much as we will allow it.

I believe the difference between the two viewpoints is, as another author puts it, about people following the teachings of Jesus, as opposed to the teachings about Jesus. So I've been exploring these ideas, and I wrote a poem. Enjoy. Hope it makes you think.


Let go
of this idea of salvation.
No one is coming to rescue you.
You must be your own hero.
Find the strength
To answer the call
And find your own way home.
Your soul will welcome you
at the door,
And there is a place for you
at the table.