An Open Letter From God - Paul Harvey

Written by Bo Lozoff as part of his book of essays entitled "Just Another Spiritual Book," which was first published in 1990.

My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),
I consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, gene by gene. And I have been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again. I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight. These are YOUR religions, not mine. I’m the whole enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of me (which by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s my favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bible’s are man-made. Oh, Me.

How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense? Okay, listen up now. I’m your Father AND Mother, and I don’t play favorites among my children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So ALL of your books, including those bibles, were written by men and women. There were inspired men and women. They were remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.

You see, one human being to me — even a bum on the street — is worth more than all the Holy Books in the world. That’s just the kind of guy I am. My spirit is not an historical thing, it’s alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.

Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with me.

Which brings me to my next point about your nonsense. You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for me or “win souls” for my sake. Please, don’t do me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

I don’t need you to defend me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging my name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…

Now the thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around. Believe me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you anyway with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy me. That’s what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am. You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out my paradoxes and unfathomable nature — which by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in every religion?

You know what I’m talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear my still, small voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are my own child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him in the first place?)

You can call me and my special ones any name you choose, if only you would go about my business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think I care which of my special children you feel closest to...

[mikehagan]

Paul Harvey was a hated man. He had death threats all the time. The government tried to shut him down. He wasn't afraid the evil that didn't want to hear the truth. The battle rages on. God's word is true, don't back down God is with us❤❤❤

[lisawolfe]

I miss Paul Harvey. The childhood memories of hearing him on the radio 12 noon Monday thru Friday.

[jrcrouch]

Paul Harvey was a good man, a very wise man. Loved listening to him. Wish we had him back.

[JT.common_sense]

In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

[diannewilliams]

Listen to Paul Harvey If I Was The Devil 1969. His vision is remarkable 🙏

[Welaybareourscars]

Pure 💎 Paul Harvey was the original podcast.

[curtisanderson]

Thank You GOD for Everything You do for me in these 54 yrs

[jeannetaylor]

I loved Paul Harvey!! I spent a lot of time with my paternal Grandmother. The radio was always tuned to our local station, at that time. I could hardly wait for Paul Harvey to be done with the Farm report so I could listen to his WORDS OF WISDOM!! I am 69 yrs old now and I truly miss Paul’s words of wisdom. 💕🙏🙏

[charlesblack]

I’m 63. When I was a little boy my dad came home everyday for lunch and I would sit by his feet while Mr Harvey was on the radio. I’ll never forget those moments.

[DanWint]

We had our probelms back then, but then it was a more moral, family time, not the mess of 2024.

[Proctor]

I love listening to Paul Harvey speak. I imagine in 1965 people huddled around their radios or TVs hanging on to eveey word.

[virginia]

His voice was Powerful and Respected!
This is God's Country!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[joeesposito]

I feel sad for the people who have never heard the voice and wisdom of Paul Harvey.
A gift from God is this great man.

[thetrap]

"I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except by Me" ~ Jesus

[FatimaSorbo]

That was so beautiful. If only the human race could see the beauty in God... how amazing this world would be.

[SEC]

I remember when our society was so full
Of compassion and tolerance for one another. Its was wholesome and so much simpler. In modern time like now it seems someone threw a giant prism into the light and it’s a struggle to find our way through. Trust in God; call out to Jesus, and we will find our way.

[MichaelWinkelman-rmhp]

This man was gifted and how profound and somehow ahead of his time. 🙏

[Jeff-ydxg]

Thank you Lord for giving us the voice and wisdom of Paul Harvey.

[CitizenshipOfHeaven]

The devil is a lair! Jesus is King 🙏✝️❤️

[Deb-st]

Remember listening to Paul Harvey with Dad. And his comments to the TV, great respect for Harvey.