A Life In Faith, Whatever the Hell That Is

(My faith is an important part of my life.  I do not set up my life or my beliefs as anything other than my understanding of the Divine.  If they shine some tiny light on your journey then I will be happy for us both. YMMV)

I do not wear religious jewelry except at worship times (and not always then).  I have no religious symbols or scripture tattooed on my body.  I have a small Episcopal Shield bumper sticker on my car.  I don’t pray in public.  I don’t use any of the common religious phrases in conversation (sometimes I will use “Amen” sarcastically). I almost never quote Scripture outside of my community of faith.   If you passed me on the street, you would see no obvious indication that I am a person of faith.

And I’m just fine with that.

My guides in living a life in faith begin with Matthew 6:5-6, which says:

 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I’m also a big fan of Matthew 7:16-20, which says:

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

I want the world to figure out my faith by watching me live my life.  By the work that I do and the manner in which I deal with the people around me. I do not trust people who make a big show out of their faith.  I know there are many fine, faithful people who do all of the stuff listed above.  It’s not for me.  Judge me by the fruits of my faith, not the flash.  That’s just me.

I am unconvinced that I have anything to brag about spiritually and therefore it’s not my place to be telling anyone that I’m going to a final reward.  I’m suspicious of those who seem convinced that their heavenly ticket is punched.  I live in hope of redemption.  I am yearning for the gift of grace.  But if I’m honest, I’m not making any claims about my personal salvation.

I have no desire for crowns or harps or wings.  My goal is to come before God and saying “I know it wasn’t enough, but it was the best I could do.  I took the gifts you gave me and made as much out of them as I could.  I’m sure I didn’t get it all right.  But I did the best I could.”.  And being greeted with “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. (Yeah, I kind of like the old fashioned language.)

A life in faith isn’t about fear of Hell.  It isn’t about certainty.  It isn’t about piety or purity or polity.  It’s about taking what is given us, good and bad, gifts and challenges, and doing as much as we can.  Knowing that it will be imperfect, knowing that our great mighty works in this world will be the least of our accomplishments in the next.  That it may be the tiniest moment, when we get that speck of creation time and space just right, that is the true jewel of our time on this planet.

Any moment may be the moment. So my goal is to live every moment as a moment of faith.  And to do the best I can.

Peace

J