Faith

“Evil will not do us in…it is not the last word. In fact, death is the birth pangs into resurrection.”

–Rev. Bob Dannals, Christ Church, Greenville, SC

Those who know me know I go to church for weddings and funerals.

“It feels like a funeral in one way and that is something has died in all of us.”

Work sent me to church today. A man tolled a bell. The congregation sang songs. I sat in the balcony in front of an amazingly large set of organ pipes.

I didn’t sing with the congregation, nor did I pray with them. But I was there and…for the first time…I understood why people go.

I stopped going to church when I was around 14. I got tired of the entire idea of tithing, hierarchies, bigotry, and the rest of it. I never had a need for it and in a lot of cases I never understood why anybody had a need for it. The entire concept seemed silly to me.

Even now as I sit here (avoiding all news from around the country), I still don’t really appreciate organized religion. But I left today with a greater respect for people who do appreciate and need it. Somehow, sitting in a balcony in front of the organ pipes, looking around and seeing people I know from the community in tears…it made me feel a little better.

I am not now, nor do I think I will ever be a really religious man. If this doesn’t convert someone…nothing will. But I understand something more about life today.

I have my own brand of spirituality. I dont talk about it. Not with my wife. Not with my friends. Not with my family. It’s mine.

And that’s what makes it real.