The Practice of Religion
In my sermon last week I mentioned that its not exactly Breaking News to say that Organized Religion is in decline these days. There are many reasons for this, as people are busy, or distracted, or have lost trust in institutions. As a result, many have retreated into some sort of individual spirituality at best, or just quit trying at worst. But recent studies have shown that the practice of religion is very good for our emotional health and quality of life. That is, belief and doctrine are important but we must never stop with our brains. What we DO here, Sunday after Sunday, matters more than we know.
And what is the practice of religion? It is prayer and worship, of course. But it is also the little things, like helping a friend up the stairs, or a warm handshake, a cup of coffee with a friend, directions for a stranger, kneeling. I like to say that we love Jesus here so we can love Jesus out there, on vacation, and at the bank, and by the pool, and in the grocery store, or at work, or anywhere else we have the opportunity to be present, and attentive and kind. The practice of religion is healthy. The practice of religion makes us good.
Happy Summer,
Rich
