Every so often I run into someone who tells me that religion is the root of all problems experienced by humanity. To that person (or to anyone who will listen), I say:
Imagine a world populated with people who care for and about one another—people who truly value one another. What would it be like to be able to walk all day and all night through any neighborhood in any city in the world and not only be perfectly safe, but also meet person after person who not only wished the very best for you, but also stood ready to sacrifice their time and money to make sure you were okay…what would that be like?
Suppose every person on this planet was filled with some kind of delicious happiness—no need for anyone to get high because everyone is already high—high on life. And suppose deep down, each person was at peace—at peace with oneself, at peace with one’s neighbors, at peace with the world. You couldn’t meet a grumpy person because there wouldn’t be any such thing.
This world we’re imagining is stress free because its people simply cannot get stressed out. They’re beyond that. Nothing rattles them. It’s not that they’re delusional; instead they’re triumphant. They greet every problem, every set back with a cheerful smile. Along the way they’re dreaming up ways to make one another’s world a better place. They leave a trail of kindness wherever they go.
These are people of integrity, people who keep their promises, people who can be fully trusted. The most fragile person is safe with any of the inhabitants of this world. Nobody flies off the handle. Nobody loses it because deep inside, there’s nothing to lose. This is a world of people who have already won. They are complete. They are good.
Now where do you find a world like that? I only know of one place—it’s the place where you throw open every door in the basement of your soul—throw them open to Jesus, and allow His Spirit to come in and transform you into the you imagined, created, redeemed and forever enjoyed by God.
I don’t know how you define religion. If you define it as a bunch of people trying to control each other or people on a jihad or crusade, then maybe you’re right. Maybe religion is the problem. But if it’s opening the door and inviting Jesus in, then I cannot imagine a better way to create a perfect world.
As the Bible says: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
Remember, you are designed to make a difference!
Dwight
Photo credit: Adapted from a photo by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Flickr, Creative Commons License
