Faith Venture

“Knowledge was their treasure,” Indiana Jones in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This has the sound of a statement of deep truth. Indeed, the Bible often quotes people who tell us that knowledge of the Law and knowledge of God are good things for us to acquire. Is there more to life than knowledge? Is there more to wisdom than knowledge?

Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Ah, it looks as if we can go deeper than knowledge. Knowledge is sort of like a first goal. We study, ask questions, listen–and learn. Think of kids, though, who learn something then let their imaginations run amok with possibilities of what that knowledge might mean. I could imagine the disciples at Pentecost where knowledge (in the head) turned into an entirely different level of experience.

Taking this thought further, we can turn to Paul writing to the Romans (8:1-3), “We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God.” Once again knowledge is a starting point. But if we don’t use knowledge with the right attitude, then it can lead to pride and destroy a person. Strive for knowledge, but also know what you know, and use your knowledge with love and in the love of God. This is being aware of your knowledge and aware of its purpose.

I once saw this Persian proverb that has stayed with me for 30 years. It fits.

• One who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool. Shun him.
• One who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep. Wake him.
• One who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student. Teach him.
• One who knows and knows that he knows is wise. Follow him.

Gary

Oliver Wendell Holmes said:

There are one-story intellects, two-story intellects, and three-story intellects with skylights. All fact collectors, who have no aim beyond their facts, are one-story men. Two-story men compare, reason, generalize, using the labors of fact collectors as well as their own. Three-story men idealize, imagine, predict; their best illumination comes from above, through the skylight.

Where are you on your faith journey? This is a powerful little way to chart growth. You begin reading the Bible and listening to talks and sermons trying to learn facts. Then you analyze and think about what you’ve learned. But if you are going to find the mission and ministry that God has put in front of you, then you’re going to need that illumination from above.

What new ministries could your church develop? What would a new type of worship look like? Where are the people who need to deepen their lives through a relationship with Jesus? How would you reach them? What needs could be met? Children imagine all the time. But then they become fact gatherers. It’s time to imagine, idealize and predict again in your life. How? First devote yourself to listening and watching for that illumination from above. Then, boldly set out to realize that dream in life.

Ah, the first really neat day of the spring where I can sit on the patio in the evening with gold finches and woodpeckers at the birdfeeder, spring birds calling, the neighborhood is quiet. Even if I am out here with my WiFi and laptop, it’s peaceful. Reminds me to take a few deep breaths, shut down the brain and realize, God is Good. Here’s a nod to St. Francis of Assisi.

I travel often on business and this week was no exception. After a busy day and a late dinner, I found myself chatting with the woman seated beside me. The conversation turned to a spiritual life, as it seems to do often around me, and she described her growing up process as a true California Bay area girl. She was not raised with any knowledge of religion and turned to Buddhism–talking about chanting while facing a blank wall. Then she liked the mind-body connection of Yoga and turned to Hinduism. When I told her I was a member of a United Methodist congregation, she suddenly asked the crucial question, “Who is Jesus?” Unfortunately, she also has a touch of ADD and before I could say anything turned to jump in a conversation elsewhere. But the question is crucial–just who is Jesus?

What would you say if someone asked you? I try to be sensitive to where the person is in a faith journey. I meet  many, many people with no religious upbringing or background. You can’t answer in formulaic phrases. You must answer from experience in order to connect. Enough books have been written where the author speculates about who Jesus is to fill a small library. I’ve read some of them. But the best thing I’ve seen that helped me explain comes from Hebrews where the writer refers to Jesus as the founder and pioneer of our faith.

I could have said, “He’s the Son of God” and stopped there. But that won’t mean very much to many people. But to say Jesus was perfectly full of God’s Spirit, and through a real relationship with him, I have learned to be full of God’s Spirit, too (maybe a little short of perfectly full, but you get the picture).

She’s a business associate whom I will see several times a year, and as long as I don’t do something stupid to ruin her view of me, I’ll have many opportunities to gently show and tell her who Jesus is. I’m pretty clear in my mind and experience. How about you? Could you answer the question in terms that someone with no faith can understand? Add a comment, I’d love to collect a bunch of answers. I seldom have the only right one.

Sometimes life works out and you do the right thing and it feels good. I travel a lot, so I miss lots of goodbyes at funerals of acquaintances. When we planned an Easter trip to visit the daughter in suburban Chicago (and attend Easter services at Willow Creek) we stopped by to see my wife’s aunt in the hospital. It was a joy to see her face light up and talk with us for a while. She was noticeably tired, though, and passed away Monday. Sometimes you have the opportunity to see someone–better follow up. She was very good to me, and especially to my daughter. She could see through things and didn’t put up with BS. But she always helped and was hospitable. The world lost a good person.

So, as I listened to people talk about her life and all the things she did, people she helped and organizations she led, makes me put my life in perspective. Am I doing what I should be doing? Am I enjoying life while I can? Do I know what’s important? I’m getting to be the oldest of the next generation. Makes you pause and consider. What about you?

Gary Mintchell