Fear can force us to operate and govern our lives in ways that can be counter productive, self sabotaging, self defeating or just plain destructive. In faith communities it can prohibit or even cause “people of faith” to show disdain for or even shun acts of justice, right-making and love towards ones neighbor. In my faith circles I see fear as a negative motivator that causes people to do exactly the opposite of what God expects of those who “claim him”.
People sometimes enact an unbalanced approach to faith and worship that focuses on ritualistic displays of faith and “religion” and rigid dogma as opposed to a “transparent, through and through” spirituality that actually evidences a relationship with the divine. A spirituality that stems from a heart that is truly grown and sown in the spiritual principles of the creator of the universe. Principles and a morality demonstrated by the life of the being known as Yeshua/Jesus the Christ.
I have spoken with several people over the past few months who question what “Godliness” actually looks like in terms of worship and practice outside of a “dogma and ritualistic” behaviors. I try to give the most simple answer possible. Ultimately I say “it’s doing what Yeshua/Jesus did, which was to demonstrate his love for God by caring for the things of God, God’s creation, God’s children (i.e. His fellow man) and being an advocate for the health and well being of those Children of God while advocating for Justice for ALL MEN. So what does true Godliness and that Spiritually look like on a basic level?
For me I simply look around me, investigate my surroundings, checking on my neighbors known and unknown, friends, colleagues and even strangers and humbly engage and ask about ways I can offer service. “How can I help you today?”, “What can I do for you or your family to help you out at this time?” Or “What do you and your organization need?” I offer my technical skills to several smaller NGO’s here in Africa that could not afford even the basic day rate for photographic services. I check in with the elderly, disabled or any individuals or groupings of individuals that I could do even the most basic things for. As simple as regular conversation or as involved as assisting with or completing home repairs.
Some of us have greater strengths and training than others. Some of us have training in the medical fields, counseling services or mentoring and can lend a hand in a more involved and intense way if the circumstances allow. Regular sustained counseling or therapeutic interactions with veterans, trauma survivors, children and youth in the Foster care system or who are a part of at-risk groups who could benefit from sincere, caring interactions with sincere people. And if you feel you have no skills, support those who until you develop them. Don’t shun education or learning a field outside of your career path that may lend a hand to your service. A degree in Social Work? Training in basic counseling services if not something similar is one option but just a suggestion.
Now to the one who says these are “Works” trying to earn points with God, I say as one who has learned to understand the role of Grace and the magnitude of the sacrifice of the Christ, I/we do these things because they are apart of what it is to worship God and in fact, develop the character and mind of God. Worshiping God isn’t just about the Sabbath, the diet, the High Sabbaths, ritual practice and outward show of some things some times. It’s about sustained regular service that is in essence how the world sees your true “religion”. Going to a hospital to see a person once a month may be a start but isn’t it better to see that person and maybe a few more as often as possible? What about a regular after school mentoring program? What about taking part in a suicide hotline if you have the necessary training? What about spending time with wounded warriors or our other veterans? If we REALLY have the training how about attending to victims of violence and sexual assault? Basically there is need EVERYWHERE, and those who call upon the name of Yeshua/Jesus need to be seeing where and how they can fill these needs in a HUMBLE “NON-PARTISAN” manner. It’s not about stepping into the aftermath of a natural disaster pitching a flag for your church or your ego before you start to render assistance rather it’s about selfless service with no consideration of reward or recognition. The name of your church may never be mentioned, but when asked you can explain that you do what you do because Christ the Messiah did it first and it is his example that you follow.
The reality is that the Christian is to be an emissary of the Kingdom of God and the coming King. It’s HIM you represent ultimately, and understanding that should be….needs to be our ultimate motivation when approaching our acts of love, compassion and service to the world. Every step of the Christ life was an act of love, mercy, compassion, right making while witnessing and teaching of the Kingdom of the Father. May we pursue the same steps with the same vigor and motivation as the Son as we seek to better the human condition for all around us.