The “s” Word: The uncomfortable truth about facing our faith in public

        Going to a private, christian school has been a great experience for me. I specifically enjoy the one-on-one relationship with my instructors, and the close environment with my peers. However, despite this close relationship, there are a few words one does not mention casually. One, Salvation. There are so many different perspectives on the matter, it has become controversial just to state your opinion. I see this tension gradually rising even in my own small environment. Everyone has heard the story of the little daughter or son on their first school bus ride....the parents tell friends of when their little child came home, telling them of what they had heard the “big kids” say on the bus-the “s” word! The parents are first stunned at the fact that their little darling has been exposed to such a “dirty” word, only later to find out that the word was not what they initially thought it to be, but merely the term “stupid”. Salvation, in my opinion, can be put in the place of the “s” word in the story, and the bus replaced by modern society. You are the parents. When you hear Salvation in the media, you are defensive and taken aback...you either disagree strongly with the idea being presented about Salvation, or you agree vehemently and proclaim this enthusiasm with violence. You then become angry, even if you agree with the idea being presented about Salvation because you just know there are others who disagree with you and you wish they would just understand! 

The root of the matter is, we do not truly understand Salvation. We think of Salvation as untouchable, that we can never understand. This frustrates most, so they give up. They tell themselves they are comfortable with the unknown, yet deep frustration is brewing beneath. Then, when someone mentions Salvation, we explode, our frustration guides our action and our words, and we become hostile towards our neighbors over a simple question or proposition. 

Sometimes, when I  find myself consumed with despair over my surroundings, the lack of Truth to be found in society, I think about a personal monastery I have engineered in my mind. It could be compared to a fantasy football team..I think about who would be in my monastery if it was real, and what would be going on inside the stone walls. That was a minor rabbit trail, but it leads me to my next hypothesis...in my ideal community, we are not taken aback by such conversations. It is beautiful to talk about Salvation, Truth, and our Father. It brings us closer to Him, not in wisdom, but in relationship. Our relationship with our Maker grows when we long to know Him, not long to know what He knows. Yes, we desire to be like Him and we are made in His image, but we are surely not made to be God. We are His people, His children, and His creation. Beauty in found in Him, and in relationship with our neighbors, also God’s creation. When we find delight in the beauty of conversation about the weather or theology, we are becoming closer to the Maker. 

The conclusion of my post is, that instead of being offended or frustrated with conversation over “closed-door” matters regarding faith, we should delight in the opportunity to converse...we bring joy to our Father this way. If any of you devoted readers have gotten this far through my post, I thank you for reading and would enjoy reading your comments. Blessings and Curses to all! -Nora B.