Lifting the Veil -- Jay Grant

I find it amazing just how relevant God can be to us personally, or as

a nation, at certain critical moments. It is also interesting how

irrelevant God can be to many people the rest of the time. Sept. 11 is a

perfect illustration. In the immediate days following that national

tragedy, God suddenly became incredibly important.

A tidal wave of people turned to the God in that hour of crisis. Not

since World War II had America reached out in such unified passion to the

God of the universe. Everywhere people cried out to God, searching for

answers, horrified at the evil that had taken so many innocent lives. An

outpouring of spiritual fervor gripped our land.

In Washington, senators and congressmen sang “God Bless America” on

the steps of the Capitol. Teachers and students prayed in public schools.

In civic centers throughout our country, government officials led

prayers. Fire stations, police departments and sheriff offices became

sanctuaries. Here in Laguna, we held a prayer vigil on Main Beach.

Articles on faith appeared on the front pages of virtually every

newspaper in our land. We read inspiring stories of those who had

narrowly escaped the Twin Towers, people who lavishly gave God credit for

leading them to safety.

People always turn to God during tragedy. We experienced a similar

reaction after the Oklahoma City bombing a few years back. People become

desperate for a ray of hope, longing to know there is a God greater than

all the grief and chaos surrounding them, someone who can bring comfort,

compassion and mercy.

But how quickly we forget. After a time, life gradually returns back

to some sense of normalcy and God once again slides into the background.

The biases against God emerge afresh. Those who have sought to rid the

American public life from every vestige of the God, such as the American

Civil Liberties Union, begin anew their relentless attack. Many

newspapers soon opt to again ignore faith or God, giving those issues

little or no print at all.

Interesting, isn’t it? I assert God should always be important. I

write this column because I strongly believe God, faith and spirituality

are the most critical issues of life, by far. I don’t think anything else

even comes close. There are those in Laguna who will disagree, but let me

ask them these questions.

If God exists, and this God is active in our lives, don’t you want to

be aware of who this God is? If this God protects, comforts, imparts joy

and peace, rest and contentment in our lives, don’t you want to know this

God?

If this God created all the wonder and beauty we see in Laguna -- our

extraordinary beaches, gorgeous sunsets, beautiful hills and canyons --

aren’t you interested, just a little, in who such a God might be? If this

God holds the answers to this temporary life, and the next life which

will never end, shouldn’t you give this God some consideration?

In my opinion, these are far and away the most important questions in

life.

* JAY GRANT is a pastor-teacher and 32-year resident of Laguna Beach.

He can be reached at P.O. Box 391, Laguna Beach CA, 92652 or by e-mail at

nikkinjay@cox.net.