Struggle, is that the right word? probably not…
Being brought up with the idea that a supreme being escorts our world has always been a hard thing for me to accommodate. However, the culture that accompanies the belief has been a hard thing for me to dismiss.
I was NOT brought up with the bells and smells of Anglicanism or the rituals and tradition of Catholicism. It’s not religion that I am talking about. I am far from religious. Religion has it’s own issues.
I was brought up surrounded by a culture and tradition of 1970’s Cornish Methodism. I think the regional character is significant. I experienced communities displaying a very social faith. Families and individuals demonstrative in their beliefs and customs. The Cornish ‘contented’ spirit added to the personal and social faith. A very happy place! I have never been able to forget or negate it’s role.
Times move on and of course we found that the world is bigger than Cornwall. Ironically, Cornwall knows that. Cornwall is surrounded by big sky, big seas and has a big rocky heart. Memory of the ground that nurtured me remains at the root of my being.
As Tom Hanks entertainingly demonstrated, we all might have our ‘Wilson!’ moments when left without focus or reason. Yes I’ve skirted evangelical christian subcultures and the warmth of their community served a purpose at the time but some strong closed opinions couldn’t stand up to close inspection. It’s a volleyball after all.
Yes, Mssr. Lyotard, theoretically there is no more meta-narrative only paralogy, but in practice there is rarely space for paralogy only… us… enchantment, hurt, charisma, loss, joy and fear.
! But does it all matter, can’t we all just go an have a beer? Yes we can. But what then? What about injustice, the broken, the lost, the frail, the lonely…
We are all ultimately answerable for our actions. We are privileged to be alive.
What might we do with this privilege? How might we share the energy we have?
Are we in a position to help, better, support and enliven our community?
How on earth can we play an effective part?
What I always return to consider is the reality of a bigger power that can be shared, celebrated, and exercised. To bring healing, growth, cleansing and ‘love’ – generally creating good where there’s bad; nurturing life where there’s no life. Jesus of Nazareth (designated Christ) said something like “I have come that you might have life in all it’s fullness”. Jesus was no volleyball. The essential truths that Jesus taught were challenging and beautiful. Alas, the dated stories are all we have to go by. Some have twisted ideas to their own ends. Others have built on his teachings. Few can top the selfless truths shared by this (sadly, over rendered) Jewish rabbi.
What are the effects of our choices and actions?
What do we feed ourselves, how do we entertain ourselves, what do we build…
What do we teach and leave for our children…
How do we work together to be part of a better community/world…
How can we develop and maintain life simply, naturally and ethically…
How can we combat negativity, fear, hate, greed, pride…
Where can we embrace love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…
Can we really do this alone or is it wise to acknowledge something bigger than our meagre breath.
It shouldn’t be a struggle…
Jules P Richards 