I’m not religious, but I am spiritual!

Wisdom in the Market Place

Proverbs 1 in the Old Testament says that ‘Wisdom cries out aloud in the market place and public squares.’ Just think of all the open or enclosed spaces where debate takes place concerning the important and personal views of life and beyond. London as the capital of the UK. Regional cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, alongside the villages and towns throughout the UK and worldwide.

Hello Chester

I’m not religious, but I am spiritual!

Recently I had a conversation with a man who said that he ‘wasn’t religious but he was spiritual.’ What he meant was that he didn’t go to church or a formal place of worship but had his own personal faith and belief!

Life is forever changing but in reality human beings remain, in essence, the same in thoughts, words and actions. We do our own thing. Challenge or ignore church and religious belief and actions. Yet world history shows us that people of Faith, even in the midst of troubles, have improved human existence in numerous ways!

                                   What is being Religious?

Do you remember Maria from the Sound of Music?

She was mixed up and didn’t know what to do but decided to enter a Religious order to find a peace and purpose. I wonder how you would you define being Religious? Attending liturgical services and activities? Wearing specific clothes, speaking in a certain manner with associated actions and reactions?

What is it to be Spiritual?

A candle light often reflects the Light of God shining in a Dark world.

Brother Lawrence from the 17th century concentrated on Practising the Presence of God in a Carmelite Monastery. He meditated on the Bible for strength and guidance. He engaged in an active Prayer Life. He sought to reflect God’s presence by loving and serving his neighbours.

How were your Holidays 2017?

In the book of Acts chapters 16 to 17 we read about Paul’s second Journey travelling from Derbe, to Galatia, Philippi and then onto Athens

We don’t read about his time in the city as a Tourist! We find him debating on Mars Hill, arguing in the local Synagogue and market place. He spoke with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. In the Areopagus, a local court, he states ‘I perceive that in every way you are very religious and then observes that many worship ‘an unknown god.’

Wherever Paul travelled, he provoked a reaction to his teaching around the life and ministry of Jesus.

Many said to him No thanks I’m not interested. Perhaps a greater number would want to think about Faith another time. However, we read of Dionysius a member of the Areopagus (council) and Damaris a woman of lower status embracing Faith.

In a time when we think that many have given up ‘A’ or ‘The Faith,’ the Christian Gospel continues to reach out to all peoples, at all levels and at all times.

Think about what the man said; ‘I’m not religious, but I am spiritual’

You might say that you are not ‘religious or spiritual.’ However, in the pursuit of personal development, happiness and wellbeing, you might find that there is room for being ‘spiritually religious’ however that may impact and work out for you?

Travel Well.

Graham

For further reading hit the links below for the second edition of my book Blog 51 (October 2020) in black and white or colour