Oct 26, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
The world seems trapped in perpetual “us and them” warfare – caught in the habitual groupings of nationality, age, race, and culture that highlight individual differences, rather than similarities.
At an early age we learn to pick sides for spelling bees, relay, baseball, or math teams. In our desire to be with what’s familiar, we may become conditioned to look for and avoid what’s different – not simply in acquaintances but in activities, choice of food, travel. Such a tendency imposes on one’s natural leaning to love others and is a perspective that has negative implications for humanity as a whole.
The story of a Midwestern farmer defies that perspective. Every year, he won a blue ribbon for his corn at the state fair. A reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with neighbors. The reporter was surprised; the neighbors entered the same competition. The farmer explained that wind blows the pollen from field to field: “If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”
What a life lesson! It points to solutions for every community and world problem and affirms that the welfare of everyone is bound up with the welfare of all. Further, it illustrates the effect of following Jesus’ command to love our neighbor as ourself (see Mark 12:31).
Recently, a report of the work of Heifer International caught my attention. This organization provides a continuing supply of food by giving families, rather than short-term provisions, an animal to raise – such as a lamb, heifer, or chicken. Even more compelling is the project’s “Passing on the Gift” aspect: Participants who receive a heifer, for example, agree to give a neighbor one of its calves, as well as the know-how to raise it. Each then experiences the joy of helping others while learning how to fulfill their own needs.
As a result, in places such as Tanzania, Christian and Muslim neighbors are, possibly for the first time, experiencing the wisdom and blessing of working together.
Individuals like that Midwestern corn farmer and Dan West (who founded Heifer International) saw the practicality of loving one’s neighbor, thereby debunking the “us and them” way of thinking. One seed, one heifer, at a time. “Us and them” strife is a call to prayer, which benefits society as a whole.
Prayer that strives to understand that God, Love itself, is the Father of all, will show each of us how to exercise love. Mary Baker Eddy wrote that working together isn’t always cooperation, but sometimes co-elbowing: “…seek alone the guidance of our common Father …,” and “…prove his faith by works, ethically, physically, and spiritually.” She added, “Remember that the first and last lesson of Christian Science is love, perfect love …,” and “that unity is divine might, giving to human power, peace” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 138).
It is possible with love and prayer to co-elbow in harmony and peace! Unity is divine might and gives peace. Prayer that acknowledges unity as a law of God aligns thought with His omnipotence and transforms discord into harmony. Acknowledging that we share the same divine source disarms dogma and tradition that would divide otherwise well-meaning people.
Events that expose tribal factions and the mass mistreatment of certain groups can alert our prayers to accept this truth. Recognizing that there is only one God unifies us in the understanding that we all have the same divine Parent. And when differing and conflicting opinions, in our families, communities, and churches appear, our prayers can affirm the spiritual fact of God as Love and the interconnectedness of His children everywhere.
Our viewpoint then changes to “we” instead of “us and them.” Loving our neighbor becomes more about what binds us rather than what separates us.
Oct 24, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
“Journalism is a public service and readers are best-served if I and the people I am writing about speak the same language.”
So wrote Jill Carroll, freelance reporter on assignment for The Christian Science Monitor, in a scholarship application shortly before her kidnapping in Iraq. The Washington Post reported.
When I began writing this column, the world still awaited the outcome of her ordeal. I’m happy the world has now received the good news of her release. But her words are continuing to give me pause today and I know they will do so in the future.
Many newspapers have written about Jill. And many shared more information about the newspaper she was writing for. Such as “The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 by a woman, Mary Baker Eddy, who believed passionately in the power of prayer.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
The paper is owned by the church Mary Baker Eddy also founded. It is an international daily newspaper, winner of seven Pulitzer prizes, renowned for its balanced, in-depth news coverage of world events and issues.
The Christian Science Monitor
The Sun-Times also reported, “The paper has an implicitly spiritual mission, one that by all accounts Jill — a young woman from Ann Arbor, Michigan, who moved to the Middle East a few years ago because she wanted to understand the region and humanize the lives of its inhabitants — believes in with all her heart: ‘to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.'”
Jill has been dedicated to learning Arabic since her arrival to the region and it has been reported that she can speak Arabic well enough to easily talk to the Iraqi people and interview Iraqi officials.
But I think perhaps her idea of speaking the same language may go beyond the limits of verbal communication although certainly important. Perhaps the secret to speaking the same language is rooted in the stated mission of The Christian Science Monitor — “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind.”
How do we speak so as not to injure?
Qualities seen in Jill’s writing come to mind. Honesty. Sincerity. Empathy. Thoughtfulness. To name only a few.
Jill will be writing for the world about the world again soon in the future. But perhaps her life and example will inspire and encourage us. Learn to speak to one another, our neighbors and strangers, our friends and foes, in such a way that enables us to live in peace and understanding each other.
Tolerate and accept there will be differences. Appreciate and honor varying viewpoints. Respect uniqueness of cultures. Believe there is one God regardless of many religious beliefs and practices. No one is greater than another in His eyes.
Her example is helping me share her passion. Her resolve. Her mercy. Her faith. Her hope.
For humanity’s sake, I’ll try to speak the same language to all I meet. A high goal? Maybe so. But if we all try, mankind will surely be blessed.
Oct 24, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
I’ve read various theories about the final minutes of United Flight 93. But for me there is only one certain truth. The courageous actions of its passengers.
Whether or not we think a movie should have been made about this flight doesn’t change the fact that it’s part of our American history. Our national narrative. The unfolding saga in the war against terrorism. A war that often seems without obvious rules and clearly against an enemy without country or ethical boundaries.
It’s certainly not the first time that Hollywood has made a movie depicting a national tragedy. The same could be said for numerous books and songs. We seem to be a people who like to record our events and feelings about those events.
Without question the actual details of those final minutes can only be guessed. Phone conversations between passengers and relatives tell us that passengers became aware their hijacked plane was likely to be used as a terrorists’ weapon. And … that they must do something.
So, the courage of everyday people is told in a movie some refuse to see, some feel they must see, some criticize, some praise.
And what of courage?
While there are numerous stories of courage described in the Bible, the one that comes to my thought first is David battling and conquering Goliath. David was a shepherd boy who volunteered to do what trained soldiers feared they couldn’t.
I’ve always loved this story. The setting was army against army. An enormous and frightful soldier from the enemy’s camp, Goliath, made a challenge for one man to fight him. David wasn’t in the army. But his brothers were. Their father had sent David to his brothers’ army camp to bring food.
He was obedient. He wasn’t looking for fame and glory. David’s noble desire was to help, and he believed with all his heart he could.
At first the army leader questioned David’s ability to face such an experienced soldier, since David was a mere boy. He said, “You can’t go and fight this Philistine. You’re too young and inexperienced — and he’s been at this fighting business since before you were born.” Yet, leading spirituality author Mary Baker Eddy wrote that individuals’ “strength is in proportion to their courage.”
What kind of courage did this young boy have, which I believe was also the kind of courage of which Eddy was speaking? Not animal courage often flaunted by impetuosity, brashness or daring. But moral courage, exhibited by David’s fortitude, determination and undaunted spirit.
And it’s these qualities of moral courage that no doubt strengthened the hearts and emboldened the actions of the passengers on United Flight 93. Qualities that surely must be part of the foundation of all right thinking and acting.
What greater actions are there than to do what is right? Actions impelled by pure and selfless motives. Not prompted by ego or inspired by grandeur of self.
Do you think such qualities are reserved for the few?
With God the Father-Mother of all, my hope and expectation is that surely all of His children have all they need at every moment. Would not this include moral courage as an ability that is instilled in each of us by God? Completely independent of and unlimited by physical prowess.
Moral courage guiding our thoughts, decisions and actions shows us how to be better men and women. Gives us the strength to overcome seemingly overwhelming human odds. Enables us to “fight the good fight.”
I have no doubt the passengers on Flight 93 fought the good fight. There’s no question their actions were compelled by moral courage. I deeply wish the outcome of their success could have resulted in their lives continuing with their loved ones. But their example of courage lives on.
Their example assures you and me that we also are armored in the strength of moral courage. That we can go forward through our lives prepared to battle and disarm any “Goliath.”
Whether or not everyone goes to see the movie of “United 93” doesn’t stop us all from honoring and remembering its passengers. Everyday people with moral courage. Courage we can discover within ourselves. Courage of better men and women who people a better world.
Oct 24, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
When studying my weekly Bible lesson recently, I came across a powerful verse from Psalms that reads, “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” These words took on a deeper meaning last year after I read a tsunami survivor’s account of her experience.
Who could forget, well over a year ago now, when the horrific tsunami struck Sri Lanka and the Asian coast? We’ve probably all read some of the incredible survivor stories scattered among the procession of tragedies.
My hope is that speaking about this woman’s survival will be strengthening to individuals who today may be feeling overwhelmed with challenges in their lives. Debts. Divorce. Unemployment. Injury. Illness. Devastation from tornados or hurricanes. A list that probably could go on and on for some, struggling to keep hope and faith to believe better days are even possible.
This tsunami survivor example has given me encouragement to meet disaster or catastrophe in life. I keep thinking that if she could survive a tsunami of that proportion, what could I not survive, endure or overcome? Maybe others also will be encouraged to find answers for overcoming their catastrophes.
The tsunami survivor was in Sri Lanka for the wedding of her niece, along with other family members and friends. They were, like many others I read about, having breakfast in their beach hotel when the monstrous wall-high waves hit. I was immediately drawn into her experience — not knowing how to swim, being crushed by furniture and other debris as she reached out for something to save her.
It took my breath away when she told the first thought that came to her as she tumbled in the water: the Psalmist’s words “I shall not die, but live.”
More thoughts came to her, some giving her direction such as “Cycle … paddle … use your legs.” She thought of Jesus calming a storm on the sea with those powerful three words, “Peace, be still.” And also the words “Know that God is here.” And again that declaration “I shall not die, but live.”
I was comforted that in her extreme peril, she received what she described as “angel thoughts.” It reminded me of spirituality and health author Mary Baker Eddy’s definition of angels as “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions.” As I read all the “angel thoughts” this woman heard and felt, Eddy’s words “These angels deliver us from the depths” seemed poignantly true.
Reading this woman’s story told me that perhaps it’s not necessary to try to explain why bad things happen or where evil comes from. But that the need is to learn how to conquer evil. How even against all odds, I could be victorious. I could be saved. I could be healed. And my survival is what destroys evil by proving it powerless over me.
To begin, I need to know that God is not a destroyer but the Creator. A protector. A preserver of humanity. A God of love. As the book of I Kings says, God is not in the wind, earthquake or fire. God is in the “still small voice” that is present no matter how dire the situation and will direct me to safety.
Perhaps you and I may never encounter a tsunami. But how do we contend with whatever we may be facing?
Do we give up? Do we believe there is no hope? Do we resolve to a life of chance, vulnerability and uncertainty? The inspiration I gained from one woman’s victory over a formidable foe has strengthened my confidence and trust in the mightiest power of all — the Divine.
While we all may face struggles and hardships that at times bring us to our knees, we can be assured that the “still small voice” will be with us, will lift us up and guide us onward and upward to a new day. To solutions. Freedom. Peace. Comfort. Healing.
May we too have the strength and faith to look at adversities and proclaim, “I shall not die, but live.”
Oct 24, 2007 |
by Annette Bridges. © 2007. All rights reserved.
What is truth? This is not a new question. Perhaps the question’s most memorable voice was Pontius Pilot when he posed it to a silent Jesus.
Probably most everyone would agree that much of early Christian literature was first collected and reported through oral traditions among early Christians. With few written documents. And written records found show that there were as many differing viewpoints among early Christians as there are today.
Consequently, most historians recognize some embellishments probably occurred over time. As well as information left out. And some authors’ accounts destroyed. In fact, some historians have suggested that we have lost 85 percent of Christian literature from the first two centuries. And that percentage only refers to the literature that we know about. So our knowledge from the roots of Christianity may always only be in part.
Do any of these facts impact our love and faith in the Bible and its validity? They don’t for me. That’s because I don’t believe the spiritual meaning of the Word is contingent on human details. For me, the spiritual sense can be felt in heart, regardless of details included or not.
It does disturb me to think that anyone believed they needed to determine what I can know and understand as truth. For example, when I think of the various ancient religious writings that have been surfacing in recent years, what bothers me is that someone long ago decided I couldn’t read these writings and decide for myself what I wanted to believe. Or that someone thought they needed to shape or interpret truth for me and the rest of humanity for all time.
Truth is what it is. Changeless. Eternal.
Lies may be told and believed as truth for centuries. This doesn’t change whatever is the truth.
New lies may be told today. These do not change whatever is the truth.
I do realize that opinions and interpretations of what is understood as truth will be as varied as the number of individuals voicing their opinions and interpretations. This was true centuries ago and I suspect, will likely be true in future times as well.
I think the quest to understand truth is an individual life journey. I can only answer what I myself understand of truth. I think the same is true for all who write about what they understand of truth. And even then, the challenge is in finding the words to express the spiritual meaning of that which is spiritual.
Christian author, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote about this challenge. She said English as well as all other languages are “inadequate to the expression of spiritual conceptions and propositions, because one is obliged to use material terms in dealing with spiritual ideas.”
So the search to understand truth continues. And in our search, we question, consider, ponder, explore the possibilities of truth and what it means in our lives. We want to know truth. We long for the most perfect and accurate truth there is in every aspect of our lives. Be it in science, manufacture, art, religion — or history.
Perhaps this is because of our innate spiritual nature. With a God of truth as our Creator, it would be natural for us to be drawn toward the nature of our source — perfect truth. For us to desire to understand who we are and our purpose for being.
Truth never changes. But clearly, our understanding of truth does. And it should. It’s called progress. Growth. And that’s life.
Perhaps one reason for controversial responses to newly discovered ancient writings are because some details challenge truths humanity has longed believed.
In my own search to understand truth, I am endeavoring to keep myself open-minded to truth’s infinite possibilities. I try to approach each possibility with reasonable consideration and exploration. Truth is what it is. Whether it is what I’ve always believed or something entirely different. I want to know the truth.
Of truth, Eddy quotes Agassiz, the celebrated naturalist and author, who said: “Every great scientific truth goes through three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible. Next, they say it has been discovered before. Lastly, they say they have always believed it.”
So, I’ll keep on reading whatever my fellow truth-seekers write. We learn from each other. It’s all part of the journey to understand — what is truth?
