Earlier this week, I read an article on USA Today.com titled, Supreme Court declines new 10 commandments fight. It mentioned: the justices on Monday left in place a lower court decision that a Ten Commandments marker in Haskell County, Okla., must go.
Am I a little bit torn when reading the news? Yes. But, that’s my opinion as a life-long practicing Judeo-Christian. Would I be offended if there were commandments or principles from other faiths? No, I would not.
I’m fascinated by the beliefs of individuals whose faith is as strong – or stronger – in their religion as I am in mine. I’m always thinking to myself, I wonder what I’m missing? It’s become a part of my mission to know, understand, respect and very frequently incorporate concepts from other faiths that complement or strengthen my Christianity.
Although these markers and symbols are nice, we do not need them to live the principles without any excuses each and every day.
In my very humble opinion, having symbols of faith – 10 commandments markers, Stars of David, Christmas Trees, candles in windows, Menorahs, etc. – are visible signs of reverence or consideration for God. When I see the Star of David, I immediately think of God. When I see a crucifix, I think of God. In that sense, each of these symbols is a reminder for me to incorporate God into each of my thoughts, words and actions on a minute-to-minute basis.
Do we need external symbols in order to make spirituality the central component of our lives? No.
I think that too frequently, these religious symbols are much like corporate mission statements and value statements which hang upon the lobby walls at companies which no one is capable of repeating, much less practicing on a daily basis.
The 10 Commandments marker in Oklahoma is not about the marker. It’s a visual reminder to each of us of how to keep God central in our lives by following the principles given to Moses by God. As we’ve become much more religiously diverse in the United States and as certain groups have sought to ease God out of our public awareness, these longstanding and emotionally strong symbols are quickly being removed from public locations.
The objective of creating corporate mission and value statements is the hope and expectation that each person within the company walks, talks, and acts in accordance with these concepts. If each person understands what they are and has assimilated the trait or principle into their subconscious mind then, the framed statements on the walls serve as visible reminders to employees and also point out to corporate guests exactly how they should expect to be treated by employees of this company.
It’s the same situation with the 10 Commandments, the Bible, The Torah, The Qur’an and every religious book or symbol. The books and symbols are useless if the values and concepts are not lived and observed on a daily basis. An unused Bible on the bookshelf is just as useless as the unused treadmill in the corner. Each must be utilized frequently if we expect to gain any of the spiritual or physical benefits.
I do not Trust in God because In God We Trust is printed on the back of the one-dollar bills in my wallet. I am oblivious to those words along with which president and any other symbols which may be on that bill or any other bill. I trust in God because of a seed planted in my brain about 43 years ago by my parents that was nourished during prayer prior to every meal at home and by attendance and participation at church 52+ times per year.
I learned very young that God was very important in the lives of my parents and my grandparents. Because my parents had always given me solid information in every other area of my life, I considered this knowledge to be very valuable too.
Faith is about the relationship that exists between you and God. It’s a feeling of effortless perfection that results from time in solitude communicating with your best friend. When this relationship is solid and the communication is flowing both ways, the result is a human with a sense of purpose and direction who possesses an unlimited supply of faith, hope and love. That endless supply of faith, hope and love gets replenished on a daily basis by staying connected to the Creator. The love that we receive is shared with God and with every person with whom we come in contact on a daily basis.
You know when you have the words of a song, or poem or jingle permanently imprinted in your mind? Those words have become part of your second nature and were imprinted because of reading or hearing the words over and over and over. They’re a part of you. We can intentionally make the 10 commandments, the Gospels, the teachings of Buddha or any spiritual information permanently part of our second nature by repeating the words in our minds that we choose to live our lives. In order for it to become second nature, repetition is required.
The words imprinted in your mind and soul that you use to love God and each other can never be taken away from you by the Supreme Court or by any lower court. These words have come to us from a higher kingdom. This kingdom is in your midst. Your mind, body and soul contain the emotions of the permanent markers that you use to love and serve every second of the day.
Within the world of Christianity, there is a song that has been indelibly imprinted in my mind for several decades. Part of the chorus goes, And they’ll know that we are Christians by our Love, by our Love, yes they’ll know that we are Christians by our love.
Not by our 10 Commandments markers.
Not by our clothing.
Not by our religious jewelry.
Not by carrying a Bible around in our arms.
Not by our Christmas Trees in the front windows or wreaths on our front doors.
We’re called to BE and live the word of God. We get to show it every minute of the day by how we love each other.
Do others see your faith in your words, in your actions and in the love that you show to others?
