“I’m not a religious person.”
We’ve all heard that. Maybe we say it ourselves. Whenever I hear that, I’m reminded of how disconnected we are from each other.
An overwhelming majority of the “not religious” admit their spiritual life is of real importance. And this means different things to different people. Yoga, nature, music, meditation, gardening, painting, fishing, golf, baking – some people do these things without much thought as to why. But I believe the strong majority, if given time to really think it through, would find they do these things because of the quiet it brings them. It provides that special place to find peace and reclaim the sense of truly having oneself. And when that’s the case, it’s not just a hobby, it’s a spiritual classroom.
It is from within this classroom we can change the world. However, for this change to happen, the wall between “religious” and “spiritual” needs to be less visible.
What does it take for someone who is “not religious” to feel comfortable sitting in a pew next to me?
Well, first off, am I inviting them? It takes courage to make the invitation. But don’t worry, the person you’re inviting knows that. The reality is, I might not be making the invitation because I really don’t know why I’m in the pew in the first place. And if that’s the case, that’s the first thing to change.
Secondly, am I living a life that inspires? And that doesn’t have anything to do with what people are seeing on the outside. Rather, if they were able to somehow see the inside of my heart and mind, my real thoughts, feelings, decisions, and prayers, would their heart and mind be inspired and yearn to share? Or would they be pushed away by an empty, selfish and hypocritical silent talk that gives further proof as to why they question religion in the first place?
Finally, if I consider myself a religious, church going person, why is that so? Is going to church checking off a box, and part of a thoughtless routine? Is it something that I do because of its fundamental importance to everything in my life? Is it just a place that I go, or is it the classroom of classrooms for me?
If we’re looking to make the world a better place, the “religious” have a big job to do. We have to be willing to really look in the mirror and ask ourselves the tough questions. And when we get better and more consistent in asking ourselves the tough questions, the “not religious” will slowly consider coming to church again.
The best way to fill the pews in any church is by first concerning yourself with your seat. Are you worthy of it? Are you really using it? If you fill that seat to the best of your ability, I’m confident that over time, the other seats will be filled as well.
We’ve all heard that. Maybe we say it ourselves. Whenever I hear that, I’m reminded of how disconnected we are from each other.
An overwhelming majority of the “not religious” admit their spiritual life is of real importance. And this means different things to different people. Yoga, nature, music, meditation, gardening, painting, fishing, golf, baking – some people do these things without much thought as to why. But I believe the strong majority, if given time to really think it through, would find they do these things because of the quiet it brings them. It provides that special place to find peace and reclaim the sense of truly having oneself. And when that’s the case, it’s not just a hobby, it’s a spiritual classroom.
It is from within this classroom we can change the world. However, for this change to happen, the wall between “religious” and “spiritual” needs to be less visible.
What does it take for someone who is “not religious” to feel comfortable sitting in a pew next to me?
Well, first off, am I inviting them? It takes courage to make the invitation. But don’t worry, the person you’re inviting knows that. The reality is, I might not be making the invitation because I really don’t know why I’m in the pew in the first place. And if that’s the case, that’s the first thing to change.
Secondly, am I living a life that inspires? And that doesn’t have anything to do with what people are seeing on the outside. Rather, if they were able to somehow see the inside of my heart and mind, my real thoughts, feelings, decisions, and prayers, would their heart and mind be inspired and yearn to share? Or would they be pushed away by an empty, selfish and hypocritical silent talk that gives further proof as to why they question religion in the first place?
Finally, if I consider myself a religious, church going person, why is that so? Is going to church checking off a box, and part of a thoughtless routine? Is it something that I do because of its fundamental importance to everything in my life? Is it just a place that I go, or is it the classroom of classrooms for me?
If we’re looking to make the world a better place, the “religious” have a big job to do. We have to be willing to really look in the mirror and ask ourselves the tough questions. And when we get better and more consistent in asking ourselves the tough questions, the “not religious” will slowly consider coming to church again.
The best way to fill the pews in any church is by first concerning yourself with your seat. Are you worthy of it? Are you really using it? If you fill that seat to the best of your ability, I’m confident that over time, the other seats will be filled as well.