With the billions across the globe beginning to celebrate Holy Week, the commemoration of Jesus’ final days on Earth, leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection, it got me to asking: do we really need God? Does America need God? What happens if we don’t have Him?
Please hear my respect. One of my ultra core beliefs is we are no one’s Holy Spirit — meaning none of us are another’s convicter of truth, especially concerning righteousness and sin. It’s one of the reasons I oft chuckle at group chats on social media. Many seem to have unknowingly misidentified their role. My goal today, therefore, as it is most days, is not to convince anyone of what they must believe. I see it rather as each learning to walk life’s journey, learning and growing at the pace that best suits us.
So what is it about God? Maybe we should start with what is it that He actually gives us, if we’re going to discern our need for Him.
Some would say His provision… and a path to eternal life…
What is also said is that God gives us ongoing guidance. Another way to say that is how a relationship with Him provides us with a moral compass, a code of ethics, so-to-speak, or set of standards and principles by which to live our lives. Not that we 100% always follow that compass; it would be unrealistic to suggest said adherence; humanity is synonymous with imperfection.
Broadly speaking, no less, the moral compass that God prescribes is one of love, obedience, humility and truth. There is honor and honesty. Kindness, charity and generosity are included. So are justice and gentleness. There is more… patience, selflessness and self control. There is still more.
The reality is that everyone has a moral compass. Everyone has a code of ethics they follow, whether it’s spoken or unspoken, whether they know it or not. There is a way we think, a way we behave, a way we live our lives.
So if God is not the One who dictates the standards and principles by which we live our lives, something else must fill that role. It is impossible to be vacant.
Hence, what do we fill it with? What becomes our moral code?
Maybe empathy — a response to people around us.
Maybe experience — a reaction to circumstances we see.
Maybe politics or an ideology.
Each of the above is of significant worth. I’m certain there is more that establishes our code. But when I look at what I perceive as a digression of values in this country — most notably in how poorly we treat one another and how we even go to great lengths to justify the maltreatment — I wonder if we’ve allowed the standards and principles by which we live to be set by something less comprehensively worthy…
Or better said…
By something that doesn’t include love, obedience, humility and truth.
By something that doesn’t consistently encourage honor and honesty.
And/or by something in which kindness and all of the above are not offered to all.
I wonder…
What are we missing because we’ve allowed something to establish our moral compass that was never intended to be so? … and not capable of its current role in our lives?
Just thinking… wondering… seeking what’s better and more.
Respectfully…
AR