Do the R-I-G-H-T thing
Several million of Canada's nearly 35-million people openly identify as Christian, women and men who acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of the world. Many attend church regularly, uphold the Bible as the word of God and are ready to encourage others to adopt our religious convictions for themselves. We sincerely believe that our religion is good for ourselves, for others and for our society.
But is that the reputation we now have? Are Christians well known for the positive impact of our faith in our own lives? Do we actually have something to commend to others? Is our culture better off because of the way we conduct ourselves?
While I suspect that Canada minus Christian influences would be less welcoming than the country we call home, I doubt that most ordinary Canadians make the same connection. And that got me to wondering what it would take to turn that around. What are some Christian best practices we could be known for? What are some helpful habits we can adopt that will address some of our society's shortcomings and improve people's lives?
Here are a few recommendations that line up as the r-i-g-h-t activities to pursue, the Christian thing to do.
R—Rest. Our society is tired. Busy, busy, busy. Canadians are stressed, burdened and weary, living at a pace that cannot be sustained. If Christians paid much attention to the fourth commandment, we would truly be the envy of all. But we are complicit in the problem. We do not observe a Sabbath; we do not enjoy the benefits of allowing our bodies and souls truly to rest. Our society cries for rest, and we are too busy too notice.
I—Imagination. Our society prizes the prosaic. Buying and selling are our primary passions. The ordinary and the practical are important, but they do not comprise the whole story. Imagination is a splendid gift—a profound blessing. Poetry and painting, music and dance, literature and artistic endeavour of all sorts are conduits of beauty and joy, of godly wisdom and mighty truth. Our society will be healthier when communities of Christians are widely renowned for the excellence of their effort in cultivating these good things.
G—Generosity. Our society is stingy. Western societies are wealthy, but we like to spend it on ourselves. Giving (or receiving) is harder. This is a place where the Church is already leading the culture, but where it can afford to lead a lot more. Canadians who are actively involved with their religion are more likely to be donors and to give more than other donors do. But the overall numbers are not so encouraging. Canadians over the age of 15 donate less than $400 per year on average, and only 25 per cent give more than $325. In short, a lot do very little and a relative few do a lot. Our society will be healthier when good models of generosity are more widespread.
H—Hospitality. Our society is lonely. Liberal societies emphasize individual rights. While self-reliance and self-realization are laudable traits, our sense of community responsibility is disappearing. We cocoon in our houses and retreat into our headphones. We eat fast food and fail to meet our neighbours. We forget that everyone yearns—and needs—to feel welcome. Human beings everywhere long to have their needs and comforts attended to. Even the curmudgeons and the most estranged among us desire the companionship of those who invite them into their lives with joy. This is a key part of the mission of the church (Romans 15:7), a life-giving antidote against our woeful alienation.
T—Trust. Our society is cynical. We are suspicious of authority and quick to criticize our leaders. We find it easier, more acceptable, to denigrate than to affirm. This posture makes us continually wary of the motives and judgments of others. It undermines our ability to serve happily and be served with pleasure. It fosters a corrosive climate of discontent that grinds down our joy. Proper Christian confidence is the antidote to this disorder. An abiding faith in a loving God who ultimately prevails over every evil is the fertile seedbed where people of good will and good deeds flourish and multiply.
Do the R-I-G-H-T thing.
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