I Told the Universe and the Universe Heard

'Putting it out to the universe': What is that exactly?

Lately I have been meeting a lot of people who say that the universe is responding to their needs. Like the other evening, we were at a casual summer party and I found myself in a conversation with someone who was telling me about a really tough time she went through with a 'female' ailment; and how it kind of resolved itself. I asked, "how do you think it fixed itself?"

"I don't know." she responded.

"Do you pray?" I asked.

"No." she replied. "But, I put it out there to the universe, and I started feeling better somehow, then a really good homeopathic doctor came into my life, and now the problem is just about gone!"

And last week, having morning coffee with some neighbors, one said to another (who just avoided a near accident while on a bike ride), "the universe is really watching out for you!"

And then I was listening to NPR while they were interviewing a type of anxiety therapist who was talking about his technique in helping people. A caller called in complaining of a visceral anxiety surging whenever he thought about something (I can't remember what).

The therapist then walked the caller through a visualization of the anxiety - watching it drain from his body - and floating into the universe like a cloud - then comparing the size of the universe to the anxiety cloud - and, of course the anxiety cloud was so small compared to the universe that the caller felt better...empowered to know his anxiety was small and he could wrap his brain around it.

So, me, the bold Christian, wants to ask, do you really think the universe is a responsive entity? Why is it PC to talk about the universe like it's God and not get alienated like those of us who talk openly about the power of God?

When I have a problem - I pray to God: not necessarily to 'fix' the problem, but to gain wisdom and understanding of His will in relation to the problem. It's a measure of my trust. It's for me. And it builds my faith. And, yes, I know that God guides me towards right actions in relation to the problem (whether it gets fixed or not).

I like to think about how small my problems are compared to the greatness of God. And most importantly, I like to tell my problems how big my God is...as opposed to talking to God about how big my problems are.

I am not accepted by many groups in saying all this openly - -in mixed company, am I? For certain, I would not be interviewed on NPR with this technique of comparing my relatively tiny anxiety to God's great size.

And also it's all just semantics, right? Just words: God. Universe. Who cares which one you use?

Well, you should. Because the one you use is the one you build a relationship with.

So who authored the universe? You know, it's a very tightly synchronized system of solar systems, planets, stars, asteroids, etc. The slightest deviation from any orbit could cause mass destruction. So who planned all that organization and exactitude?

It seems to me that the universe is but one of God's products. Yes it's big and mysterious but we can validate it....and therefore, I guess, validate our appreciation of it by giving it credit for taking care of us.

But God is so much bigger than the universe.

Is my meal from the frying pan or the chef who made the meal? Or the factory that made the frying pan? Am I from my parents or my siblings?

From God's perspective, we are another of His creations, just like the universe is one of His creations. We are not beholden to the universe...We are beside it. It is our playground, our environment, our home, place, ours to discover, explore and appreciate... But our keeper? No way.

Whenever someone says "universe" in relation to meeting their needs, it's a sign they want to believe in something but are afraid to step out of socially accepted rhetorical comfort zones to express it. I believe God has them on His radar as 'wannabe-lievers', but He knows they are 'afraid-to-believers'.

He will hear them regardless of who they think they are talking to cause He knows they need to be cared for...and they are at least talking to one of His products.