Perhaps you’re familiar with the 1977 movie “Oh, God!” starring George Burns and John Denver, based on the novel by Avery Corman. The story centers on unassuming supermarket manager Jerry Landers (Denver), chosen by God (Burns) to spread his message, despite the skepticism of the media, religious authorities, and Landers’ wife (Teri Garr).

Although I was a John Denver fan at that time, I had not been interested in the movie because in those days I was a ‘devout’ atheist. So these many years later, after much personal and spiritual growth, I recently watched it for the first time with Unity friends.

I was amazed at the messages that were relayed in this movie 35 years ago and at the courage and awareness of the author, and all others who chose to be involved in this project. The material is spiritual, not religious, and thought-provoking. God’s messages then, as now, are timeless.

Here are some memorable quotes:

God: Why is it so hard for you to believe? Is my physical existence any more improbable than your own? What about all that hoo-ha with the devil awhile ago from that movie? Nobody had any problem believing that the devil took over and existed in a little girl. All she had to do was wet the rug, throw up some pea soup and everybody believed. The devil you could believe, but not God? I work in my own way. I don’t, I don’t get inside little children; they got enough to do just being themselves. 
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Jerry: If you’re God, how can You permit all the suffering that goes on in the world?
God: I don’t permit the suffering – you do.
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Jerry: I don’t even go to any church!
God: Neither do I.
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God: I know how hard it is in these times to have faith. But maybe if you could have the faith to start with, maybe the times would change. You could change them. Think about it. Try. And try not to hurt each other. There’s been enough of that. It really gets in the way.
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Ah, such wisdom, and caring.