A divine tap on the shoulder
I truly believe that I cannot talk about hope and healing without talking about God. I have purposefully chosen not to be overly "religious" in this blog. I really don't like that word, but the reality of our lives, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, is that we are spiritual beings. Acknowledging that there is a God and He is not us is a great place to start when one is wrestling with the inevitable questions of purpose and meaning in life. Getting connected with the powerful life force that is God is a whole other process that comes from the desire to pursue those questions with relentless intent, discernment and an openness to learn and grow.
Disillusionment with your profession, your life, your own mistakes, or your leaders can serve as a wake-up call that God is tapping on your shoulder, trying to get your attention. He got my attention in a big way a few years ago, more a two by four over the head than a tap, and I couldn't help but listen.
While I would never cram a Bible down anyone's throat ( because if someone tried to do that to me years ago I would have written him off as a nutbar), I do encourage other hurting police officers to begin the process of consideration that there is something bigger than all of us that causes us to be here in this place and time.
You cannot separate the emotional from the spiritual. Changes of habits on the exterior are temporary changes. For any change to be lifelong it needs to begin on the inside. A change of heart and soul. The pursuit of goodness and truth is really the pursuit of God, the question we need to sometimes ask ourselves is whether or not we truly desire to pursue truth and goodness, as it can sometimes be a lonely and painful road to travel.
posted by Bob S at 12:03 p.m.
2 Comments:
In Scotland there are more people who do not write off than would at first meet the eye. On first appearance people look like they regect Christianity wholesale. When talking to them I have discovered they regect one or both of these two things. First, religion: do you stand to pray or sit; sing standing or sitting; wear robes, informal or shirt and tie; minister wear dog collar or not. These are tradition and are regected by many. Secondly popular Christian culture is rejected:it is a woman dominated culture and is too effeminate for men; or it is all too political. People reject these aspects of faith. What they do not seem to reject is that there is something out there bigger than themselves and would read the Bible in private as a part of that search. Well done to these brave men who will do this. The next step is to get involved in the changing of the tradition and culture and find a way to express your beliefs so that it is not such a hurdle to others. This is a Scottish context but it may not be so different in Canada.
Love your comments and hello from Edmonton. I have enjoyed your blog as well and I agree with your analysis on why people may reject Christianity. I am one class away from a Master of Theology degree which has served to teach me that in the understanding of God I can never become a "master" of anything!! God is good and the journey has been wild. Thanks again for your comments. There is something motivating and exciting to know that someone half way across the world has connected with what one may muse on a blog.... By the way my roots are Scottish ( Stenhouse is a sept of the Bruce clan)
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