Friday’s thoughts
Christianity is a world view and a life style. It’s a way to relate to the other people, and it’s an ethic that enables us to live our creeds in our deeds of kindness, compassion, and caring. Unfortunately, there are aspects of our faith that tie us down and force us to act out of motives that are manipulative and manipulated.
The essence that can be distilled from the life and teaching of Jesus is an approach to life and faith that is wholistic and authentic. My guess is he was as confrontive of sick religion when he was 12 years old as he was in the later part of his life when he was living his faith and teaching people about the God of love (whom he called Abba).
If we make excuses for ourselves and blame what happens to us on other people and factors beyond our control we will waste our days.
If we worry about our critics and what they say about us and are put down by the notion that we are incompetent or inept, we will give up before we try. We have got to risk. We cannot hide our light under a basket and expect to let our light shine.
If we wonder through life without direction and purpose we will live our days without living them. We need to ask ourselves about our ultimate destination. Toward what are we moving. John Wesley spoke of the need to “move on toward perfection”. That is a very healthy concept. There are broad horizons that our lives can influence.
Jesus in the temple at age 12 asked three questions:
1. What are you doing with the days you have?
2. What is your destiny?
3. What is your ultimate destination?
“Some people who are hoping for eternal life don’t know what to do with a rainy day.” Harvey Potthoff (professor at the Iliff School of Theology)
How would you answer the three questions?
How does religion assist in your religious journey? How does religion block your religious journey?
I’d love to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net or click on the “comments” box to allow others to read your response.
Charles Schuster
