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Spirit and Life in eList Hawaii Directory

We are busy persons, whether or not we are engaged in a formal business that is for-profit or not-for-profit. Each of attends, with all that we have of mind, body, and spirit, to the occupations that we have chosen or that have in some way “chosen us.” Though many of our thoughts and activities involve interactions with other persons, we want to be known as persons who mind our own business; we do not want the reputation of being “busy-bodies.” Is God busy? We cannot imagine that God becomes tired and requires rest from the ongoing business of holding all that exists in being. God is not subject to limitations of time, space, size, or shape. So God is not occupied with creation to the exclusion of some other activity or way of being. If we are to say that God is busy, we can only mean that God is occupied with what is proper to God and to no one else. Although God is our creator, God is not a “busybody,” telling us what to do with the freedom that is proper to us. Does God have a business? Businesses are most often associated with making money. They produce something or provide services that others want or need, and for which payment of some kind is expected in exchange. God does not create all that we need in order to receive something in exchange. We have no means of paying for what God creates and gives us as pure gift. God’s business is definitely not-for-profit. When we consider that God is love, not just the creator of all that exists, our concept of God’s business must be modified. God loves what God creates. We can rightly say that it is God’s business to love, and that it is our business to love back. We do not have to love God, any more than God has to create us or love us. But if we believe that God’s business is to do what is proper to God, we can reflect honestly on our position in the world, and recognize the business that is proper to us. The business we all have is to respond to God in thanks and praise, and to love God’s creation, especially our fellow humans. We cannot put our profit in the bank, nor can we earn interest on it. But we can fulfill the purpose God had in creating us – to love. Our busyness can at times interfere with our true business, as when we say that we are too busy to attend to God this day. We are indeed too busy - about things other than our business. It is as though we had a fine business of providing quality musical instruments for the world, but we occupied ourselves solely on making instruments, and never took the time to sell or give away even one. A room full of products, but no one having a chance to purchase or make use a single one: not a good business. If we do not spend any time with God, what have we done with our day? If we have not made any connection between all our activities and a return of love to God who gives us our talents, capabilities, freedom, and all of creation that is ours to use, we have not handled our business very well. Our ultimate profit is to fulfill our purpose in life. We are not here primarily to make money or to become famous. We do not believe that the billionaires and “stars” of this world are necessarily those who are most successful at the business of life.

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