That was the latest deodorant tagline I saw while surfing for news on Winter Olympics. I thought it was cool to use it here. It was relevant.
I have been hearing about the book and movie called “The Secret” for the past two years. It was a bestselling self-help book and movie with a catchy title that can easily dupe someone into buying. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the title? What secret? And whose secret? Everyone wants to be in the loop.
It was only this evening that I was able to watch it. My friends have been telling me about the good things written in that book – the law of attraction, the universe and stuff. While it did seem to work wonders on their outlooks in life, I remained unimpressed. Deep in my heart I know, with all the talks of attracting good things and imbibing positive energy, there are two things in this book that don’t fit right in my head.
Miss Universe
Joe Vitale, one of the authors of The Secret, said: “And the universe will start to rearrange itself to make it happen for you ..….If you turn it over to the universe you will be surprised and dazzled by what is delivered to you. This is where magic and miracles happen”.
Now, who’s this “universe” they spoke about so endearingly like a magical genie, a god/goddess, and a Santa? According to the dictionary, the universe is defined as “all matter and energy, including the earth, the galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space, regarded as a whole”. If it’s all matter and energy, how is it capable in influencing your luck? Does an algae have a say to your quest for love? Can a black hole tell someone to send you a million dollar check? The light bulb to light up when your electricity was cut off?
It was all about waves, vibes, thoughts, signals and magnetic fields, but none of these authors explained the true nature of this so-called “universe”. If that’s so, why would you trust your life to a duck? Why not find out who created this powerful universe and send him your credit card bills?
The Magnetic Field (Ho ho ho!)
Excuse my manners. I can’t help it.
The Secret basically dedicated itself fully to understanding the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction teaches that your thoughts influence chance, and it has been widely-talked about since the early 19th century, in 1994 when I went to church, and then in 2004 when its authors had some sort of a light bulb experience. (Hello, you were not that original.) Here’s how it works: If you think you’re born loser, everything else in your life follows that route. That’s why the authors of the book advise that you should ask the universe for what you desire, believe that you already have it and then receive it.
“You know, this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health and wealth,” says Bob Proctor. So be careful with what you’d wish for as the universe relies solely on what you feed it – a BMW, Gucci, a Christian Louboutin shoes, a European trip or Ondoy. Because this universe does not think. It does not know reason, therefore whatever you do, you can’t hold it responsible.
But since you’ve been wanting so much of the good life, go rub your lamp. Now. Pfft.
How does The Secret fit in with Christianity?
I knew you’d ask.
They don’t. They remain two different things and you cannot combine them. You can’t have a piece of this and that, and blend them into a secret formula. The end result could be diarrhea.
The Secret attributes your rise and fall to your ability to create your life, with the help of the “universe”. It is verging on too much self-absorption and materialism, feeding on worldly appetites and your fears of losing. “I want a new house, designer clothes, a high-paying job, and expensive holidays. Give me a nose job too.” No problem, the universe will bring it to you. But what if it doesn’t? The blame still falls on you, you of little faith.
The Bible spoke of life filled with tribulations. Your tiny universe can never be perfect because the truth remains that we have always been in this cycle of decay. That’s reality since Day One. But the Bible raised the bar higher than self and went beyond our own appetites to something that is far more everlasting: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Asking for a blessing and receiving it has always been in parallel with who God is – your Father, and not some universal genie. (Mathew 7: 7-11)
I’d like to share this video with you to remind you of the proper perspective of things when it comes to God and manna:
