Even though my friend had been baptized
for over 50 years and regularly participates in parish life, she didn’t know
how to answer these questions. She
simply opened her mouth, hemmed and hawed, and babbled for about three minutes. After the babbling was over, she felt embarrassed
because she was unable to articulate her faith. Later she asked me, “What would you have said?”
This is how I might have responded:
God
is the creator of the universe. God
is the life giving force that permeates creation.
God is the “greening power” that gives vitality and meaning to all
living things. I believe that there
is a supreme power who creates, sustains, and directs the universe. I call this creative power of love, “God”.
There is something greater at the center of the universe than my own
self-centered, wounded, ego.
God
communicates to us through creation, through holy writings, through our thoughts,
feelings and dreams, and through other people. Love is at the core of this communication.
Two thousand years ago, God spoke God’s word so strongly, that we Christians
say that it became incarnate in a human being, Jesus the Christ.
I believe that Jesus’ words and works were indistinguishable from the
words and works of God. Thus Jesus
is my savior who leads me and others towards salvation (i.e. wholeness). Wholeness can be embraced through loving God
and one’s neighbor. Through his teachings,
presence, and actions, Jesus pointed humanity in this direction.
He taught us the great commandment:
Love God and love your neighbor. Everything
else in the Christian tradition is simply a commentary on this great commandment. Doctrine, Scripture, Church tradition and polity
are only relevant in as much as they help us embrace this great commandment.
This is why I go to church. I
want to learn how to be more loving and how to open my eyes more fully to
the power and presence of God in creation.
I go to church because I believe that true healing and wholeness can
best be experienced in a loving community of faith.
I know that as a human being, I have a tremendous capacity to deceive
myself. I need the religious community and tradition
to help me overcome this deception.
We
were all made in the image of God. Some
of us embrace that image more so than others. The Holy Spirit is God within us, enlightening us, leading us into
all truth, and enabling us to grow in the likeness of Christ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to be at the center
of our decision making process, molding us into the people God wills for us
to be, we will begin to experience a life of “love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.” What more could a person want in life? This is what I want in my life. God can make that happen. I long to follow the path that leads to God.
For me, the Christian tradition is the most efficacious and direct
path.
Why
don’t you come to church with me next week?
I would love to share with you this great treasure in my life.
| Updated 12/17/00 |
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