What Matters?

What is really important? How do we identify the things which are really important to us? To a large extent this is the basis of faith, and yours is different from mine. There is never-the-less much to consider in our approach to this issue in our endeavour to enjoy our lives free from fear, guilt and denial.

An evangelical christian asked me "Brother, are you saved?" He looked me in the eye, knowing that I was not a part of his religious fraternity and that therefore I was not saved. Perhaps he was hoping that his challenge would make me repent and change and join him.

Do I want to be saved? From what? For what? What matters?

Christians are repeatedly reminded of various dogma about the divinity of Jesus and the supremacy of certain beliefs and that these are non-negotiable fundamentals of the faith which cannot be challenged. There is a rigidity about this position which makes it brittle.

Without discussing the inherent contradictions in statements such as ‘Truly God and truly man’ it is useful to consider why is such a position important at all? Does it matter if we agree or not to particular dogma?

Men and women use the profession of belief to regulate admission and membership of their groups. Without saying the right words I cannot be accepted as a member of many institutions, and the religious fellowship of my challenger mentioned above is one of them. That's fine, I'll stay out thanks.

In fact I am on very strong ground when I refuse to define my faith in terms of the expectations of my fellow men. I am willing to respect and care for them, but not to bow down to them. I will honor the expectations of God alone.

The God to which I refer is not defined (and thus limited) by any creed – I refer rather to the Creator (whatever that may mean, it is infinitely beyond my understanding); the spirit which created the universe; and thus also created Jesus, and the Buddah, and Charles Manson, Adolf Hitler, Ned Kelly and all the others ... and me.

I consider that what I think and believe is more important than what I pretend – the way I live and the reasons I choose than the dogma I recite. My God is not swayed by the mere choice of words – it is what comes from a man's heart that make him what he is, and God is not deceived. If the words make no sense to me I should not use them. If my challenger then concludes I am condemned to eternal damnation that's OK, I prefer that to hypocrisy.

The Old Testament prophet Micah expressed it quite clearly and certainly I can do no better – "And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8).

There is nothing here about creeds or dogma, there are no eligibility requirements and no preconditions. Indeed it is remarkably similar to the message of Jesus, just simply living the rest of today and into the future as a servant of God; without guilt, fear or denial.

Some folk are hopeful to see some great reformation of the church in the near future. They draw encouragement from the Bible and their perception that our times so accurately fit the description of ‘the last days’. Alas I feel that the same must have been thought by people of every generation since the words were written, and perhaps that is appropriate. Are we not all living in the last days? Our last days.

To look forward to some grand reincarnation of the church or other resurgence is to miss the message – it is immaterial what happens to the church; what matters is how I use my last days. In the end faith is a very personal matter, and its application is not in forging some great event of history, but rather in the way I use this afternoon.

Similarly we sometimes make great endeavours in pursuit of grand plans we have for ourselves. I smiled when a retiring clergyman admitted to me that he once had visions of becoming a bishop – he was entirely unsuited temperamentally and had latterly made much sport in rubbing bishops the wrong way. Likewise I once had had idle visions and dreams of what I might become. Fortunately that has not happened.

In practice things usually seem to turn out rather differently from the way we dream. The lure of being rich or famous (or both) draws most of us and fortunately we fail. Our lot is not to be admired but to be useful, and for this we need neither wealth nor fame.

While the cults of the television set us goals and ideals which appear to be of great importance, it is a delusion to be distracted by such unrealistic models and rampant materialism. The simple joys to be found in inconspicuous usefulness are abundant pleasures for life, and come at little cost.

Peace, Peter

Original: July ‘99
This page is part of “Living in the Light”
found at: http://www.tassie.net.au/~phoban/

Finding focus Understanding motivation Religion & faith Sexuality Families Front page