Divine Intervention

I recently had a mole removed by my dermatologist. It turned out to be melanoma. He said I was lucky – it hadn’t penetrated the layers of the skin that contain numerous blood vessels. Removing it cured me. But to be on the safe side he sent me to a cancer doctor. He removed a little more skin (a nasty three inch scar that makes me think of Frankenstein whenever I see it) and he pronounced me cured. He said I was a lucky man. I visited my GP for an unrelated issue and told him about the melanoma. He said wow, you are a lucky man. OK so I am lucky – enough already with that lucky man stuff! The whole episode didn’t cause me to think about probability theory; instead it caused me to think about divine intervention. Was it just dumb luck that we caught this in time? Or was it God intervening in some unknown way to prevent catastrophe? As always I go to the Urantia Book to find an answer.

My search starts with the Thought Adjuster. Surely if there was a celestial agent whispering in my ear it was my faithful fragment of the Father. The book says that the Thought Adjuster is interested in our welfare, achievements, health, happiness, and true prosperity in this life (1204.1). But in the next paragraph it states that the TA is interested only if events and decisions influence eternal progress (1204.2). Adjusters care about every aspect of our lives but only become active in those decisions that concern our celestial future. The TA’s mission is to change us, to spiritualize us, to create a new person. They do not help us with day to day living (1191.7). It goes on to say this, “They are called heavenly helpers, not earthly helpers. They are not interested in making the mortal career easy…” The Urantia Book is pretty clear that a TA is not going to intervene in a decision we make. It is possible that the TA has influenced me in my desire to watch out for my health. But it is clear from the testimony of The Urantia Book that the decision to go to the doctor at that crucial time was mine to make and not based upon influence from my Adjuster.

What about Guardian Seraphim, the angels that watch over us? Unlike the popular notion that angels are present to protect us, the Urantia Book assigns a different mission to them. The Guardian Seraphim help coordinate and unify the presence of the Father and the Spirit of Truth within us (1244.2-4). And they help us to make spiritual growth decisions along with the Thought Adjusters (1245.2). As in the case of the TA’s these wonderful beings are interested in our spiritual development. Consider these quotes: “Under no circumstances do these angels interfere with the free action of the human will” (1245.8); “Seraphim act in your behalf quite independent of your direct appeals” (1246.3); “They do not arbitrarily intervene in the routine affairs of life” (1246.4). That last quote suggests that they may intervene from time to time. The Urantia Book does say that this is the case but only to save “vital links in the chain of human evolution” (1246.5). Stepping into our conscience life is not the Guardian Seraphim’s function. They help our spiritual growth but not our day to day living. When a Guardian Seraphim appears it is an emergency as the planetary government defines it not as we define emergencies.

Guardian Angels are out, so what about Secondary Midwayer’s? Since they are developmentally close to us and can speak to us directly maybe one whispered into my ear? Well, maybe not. The book says that their “chief work today is that of unperceived personal liaison associates of those men and women who constitute the planetary reserve corps of destiny” (865.5). The stress for us in that sentence is the word “unperceived”. If I have a Secondary Midwayer working with me I will not be aware of it. Also on that page it says that they have nothing to do with “spiritualism” and “mediumship”. Not a supportive statement for those who believe in channeling. The gist of the matter is this, whatever Midwayer’s function is, it is not for the purpose of helping us to make decisions. Therefore, a Midwayer did not whisper in my ear and tell me to go to the doctor.

I have previously written several essays on the role and function of the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Spirit. They are also not involved in our day to day decision making. It seems that the most God does in our everyday circumstances is attempt to guide us in the right direction. However, we are on our own when it comes to making the choices that define who we are. Jesus said this to his disciples; “Do not be so slothful as to ask God to solve your difficulties, but never hesitate to ask him for wisdom and spiritual strength to guide and sustain you while you yourself resolutely and courageously attack the problems at hand” (999.8).

The Urantia Book calls it the “Eternal partnership – it is my will that your will be done” (1221.8). There is something wonderful that I hear in this statement. It emphasizes our decision making ability. It says that my unique personality is important to God. All of us make crucial choices, the everyday decisions that mold us into who we are. God does not interfere with our own personal development, even if that development is self-destructive. God values us as individuals and so God allows us to live in the manner we see fit. God certainly makes every effort to help us. Thought Adjusters, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, Angels, and even Midwayer’s primarily serve us in our long struggle to seek perfection. One could even argue that all of the heavenly hosts in our local universe have been given this very same mission. And yet none of these wonderful and loving beings will interfere with our unique decision making. And so I have concluded that no celestial helper stepped into my consciousness and urged me to talk to my doctor. No cosmic visitor tells us to turn right instead of left. The forces of God are urging us to make wise decisions that will lead to an incredible existence in eternity. But the rest is up to us. We receive help but we don’t receive answers. And that is how it should be if we are to remain unique and valued citizens of a vast universe.

God Bless You,

William Whitehead