We are all wandering in the desert, seeking the “Promised Land” foraging for food. Scripture tells us “We cannot live on yesterday’s manna. We have to replenish our spiritual manna daily.” So, I guess the quest to find the tiny crumbs from the dew on plants continues, and I gather enough crumbs of knowledge to spiritually nourish me.
Scripture stories are one tool on the journey of survival in life in venturing into the unknown. Although the tool doesn’t come with clear operating instructions, it has been useful for me in helping me do what I need to do. Sometimes I think the stories are like a flashlight in the dark. I see what they have to offer and they guide me in unique ways in pointing me to where I need to go.
Darkness is scary and when you have a little light of understanding to get you through the tough times, it’s helpful and promising until the light of new day dawns. Somehow the great stories of survival remind me that this life is not just “doable” but “conquerable.” The wounds I suffer have been suffered by others, so I’m not alone. The formidable challenges I’ve faced have been faced by others and managed.
I see small men conquering giants, wise kings humbling themselves in service to the poor, despised prophets proved correct, and children teaching elders important lessons. Most importantly, I see a humble itinerant rabbi, walking in the wilderness, learning the ropes and claiming his rightful place in this world minimizing fear as he builds the Kingdom of God on earth – that utopian ideal that may not fully be attainable to us, but through his example inspires us to take on the challenge nonetheless.
We all want that better place. We all need to see that a place of warmth and comfort is there for us, waiting for us and there for the resting if we just open our eyes and seek it out. I wrap myself in those words of hope and cuddle in the power of ineffable love and faith feeds me like chicken soup or hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night.
As I escape the world through my intellectual pursuits, I need to ask myself, am I using this tool as a weapon to defend myself? I need to remind myself and see how honest I am about being a true Christian when I pass judgement on who is worthy of charity and who isn’t. In my earnest desire to pursue spirituality, am I hearing what I want to hear? And is my moral understanding gelling with moral teachings of the great minds of this world properly? Am I negotiating with texts and hammering a subjective point to suit my ego? Sometimes yes, sometimes, no.
How honest am I really? I guess the true test is in how I respond to the person put before me. I have trouble with people looking at other religions and passing judgment about who is going to heaven due to their cultural affiliations or lack of concern for who Jesus is. If I were born in another country and exposed to their cultural identity, would I be praising Jesus the same way? Am I using scripture as a cultural appropriation to laud power over another?
Is a Muslim’s pursuit of peace and ritual practices any less than my own? Is their light any less than my own? Judging from the likes of Mulala Yousafzai or Muhammad Yunus, Muslim noble laureates, or Hindu child activist Kailash Satyarthi or any number of activists of differing faiths addressing the world on the world’s terms daily and fighting the good fight, I would say the answer to that question is no. The light of understanding with the above is greater than my own.
When I consider how people of other faiths are persecuted for their faith like the Tibetans in China or a Jew in the diaspora or a Muslim in India or a Sufi in Palestine and a Hindu in Pakistan, or an atheist in Boy Scouts, there’s work to be done in terms of looking at the common threads of understanding that keeps the blanket together for warmth and comfort.
Sometimes we need to shed ourselves of our misgivings that come from faith, step out of our comfort zones and venture into the world the way the great ones did.
Whether it is Jesus, or Buddha or Confucius each one of these great spiritual leaders met people where they were on empty roads, deserts, lakes, and mountains. They didn’t live life in a protected corner, but ventured out of their comfort zones into the wilds of uncertainty and did so fearlessly because of what their respective faiths taught them. They let the ways of their lives be the teachers and healed others in silence regardless of race, creed or class.
Strangers of different faiths provided for them, gave them places to sleep and food to eat and stories from their respective faiths to understand. Rich people divided the spoils and met them where they were regardless of class and participated in communes to form community.
Most importantly, the great spiritual leaders listened for understanding – not to make arguments against others, but sincerely, to allow others their dignity in being heard and to let them know they are not alone.
There is no escaping one major point. Religion is not always safe ground and a place to escape. It’s one of two things you don’t talk about in public and scripture teaching is clearly misunderstood and taken out of historical contexts.
In a safe place, in good company and talking mindfully and respectfully, religion can be an adventure to new horizons of intellect. Religion can offer a change of consciousness that can change one’s way of thinking about the world and change the world for the better if addressed properly.
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