Jun. 20, 2021

Freedom

It amazes me when simple things opens doors of understanding. What I hope to convey in this reflection has to do with the difference between religion and revelation. I recall a comment made by an author I was reading. The comment read, “religion occupies the space where there is no revelation.”  I have spent much time meditating on this idea which brings me to my desire to share this simple yet amazing happening that took place in the backyard of the house where we presently live.

My wife and I purchased two tomato plants from a local nursery. We planted them in clay pots so they could grow and produce on our back deck. As they grew we began to notice that they weren’t producing fruit. So we got the idea that perhaps we needed to transplant them in bigger pots or maybe somewhere in the backyard. Since we presently rent, we checked with our landlord to see if there was a place in the yard that would be acceptable. Once the location was chosen we proceeded to make the transition.

After digging the first hole I attempted to pull the plant out of the clay pot. I did not want to harm the plant but found it impossible to pull the tomato plant out of the existing clay pot. So the only option I had was to break the pot to release the root ball. What I discovered caused me to begin to understand why the plant was not producing. The root system was so confined within the pot that it had no place to grow and thrive. I found the other tomato plant to be in the same predicament.  

Have you ever been in a place of confinement? As I thought about the situation with the tomato plants it began to dawn on me how religious rules and regulations have affected my thoughts and sense of freedom. What occurred to me was the difference I am beginning to enjoy because I no longer am being controlled by religious ideations. It was as though I could hear those two tomato plant root balls express a sense of gratitude for being given more room to grow. No longer was their task to supply nutrients to the plant confined within the walls of those clay pots.

This reflection is to simply suggest that such confinements can and will hinder revelation. I know this from personal experience. These confinements will stifle the fruit that we as beings of Love are made to produce. When I think about the room or space contained in our universe it occurs to me that our Creator/Father has already provided the necessary freedom for each of us to encounter amazing and loving revelations. Is it possible that we or religious entities, in order to control based upon our and their own insecurities, place others including ourselves in clay pots, so to speak? Just something to consider.