“The great lesson is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that it is to be found in one’s daily life, in one’s neighbors, friends, and family, in one’s backyard.” – Abraham Maslow

I attract different kinds of people.

This is my path. And it is reciprocal. I am attracted to a wide variety of people. Because I have lived in three different continents and moved around most of my life, I have always been with people who looked, believed or lived differently from me.

I love it.

I loved learning about different religions in elementary school and college. My first friends were two Indian girls. I studied Islam and indigeneous african religions in primary school. Then studied Hinduism, Buddhism and other world religions in college.  During medical school, I was really into yoga, visiting ashrams, learning about Yogananda and other gurus.

But I am a Christian and Christianity is where I feel most connected to God. So through all my explorations, I kept returning to it. It is home for me.

I have friends who are atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, Muslims, Mennonites, Jewish, fundamentalists, seekers, new age, mystics and evangelicals.    In the media, Christians are portrayed as right-wing bigots who hate everyone and watch Fox TV.

Being more on the left side of things on many issues can be very challenging as a Christian. On the Christian Front, you are considered not Christian enough and to the non-believers you are considered a bigot.

So what’s a woman of faith to do?

For some reason, I have been gifted with the ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds, religions, lifestyles and thought. I enjoy being around people who are different from me.

But sometimes, I find myself having to explain why I believe what I do, facing heat and derision from both sides.

I am learning that every person crosses my path for a reason. And every encounter is sacred, whether blissful or painful, because I can inject gratitude and presence into that encounter.

For the longest time, I struggled with rejection and shame when attacked for my beliefs.  I would cower and hide when made to feel I wasn’t Christian enough. Or I would pretend not to be a Christian among those who believed differently.

Here’s the thing – Faith without action is useless. You can tout your faith all you want but your actions have to back up your faith. You actions reflect what you truly believe.

So now, I focus on the most important thing – Love. I choose to love. I choose to affirm others, regardless of belief systems. It is not up to me to judge others. It is up to me to love.

As a Jesus Devotee (well, some call me a Jesus nerd), I am called to follow, to live the life I have been called to. My favorite thing about Jesus is that He loved people on the fringe… the unpopular, the outcast, the foreigner, the lonely, the prostitute, the tax collector… He loved and accepted people as they were. And they were transformed by their experiences with Him.

This is the Jesus I love. The One who cares about widows, orphans, the poor… The One who gets to the heart of the matter instead of beating around the bush. The Master Physician  who healed the sick and raised the dead…  The One mistaken for a drunk and a glutton…

So, yes, I risk being outcast on both sides for my faith… the fundamentalist conservatives who see no place for eclectic, alternative, progressive yet passionate Christians like me or the non-Christians who view me with suspicion and expect me to be bigoted.

I choose Love. I choose gratitude. I remember my ideals (values),  consider each personal encounter a sacred gift, look for God in each one and even see how I can be of service. In some cases I learn the lesson, dust my shoulder and move on. In others, I end up with life-changing and sometimes life-long relationships.

In light of recent protests over police brutality in Ferguson and Staten Island, I intend to practice the same. I admit it has been frustrating and heartbreaking. But I will not give in to hate, cynicism and destruction.

Still I choose love. I choose gratitude. I look for God – yes, even in this, remember my ideals and look for ways I can be of service.

When all else fails, I will remember that it is not up to me to convince others of what I believe. I will do my best and leave the rest.

Here’s to keeping the faith!

Cultivating Faith:

1. What do you do when faced with attacks on your faith?

2. How do you treat others who believe differently from you?

3. In what ways can you choose love and gratitude in conflict?

4. What do you think about the encounters you have with others? Do you consider them sacred?

5. In what ways can you choose to be of service to those who believe differently?

6. How has the recent political climate affected how you express your faith?

7. In what ways can you be supportive of others in keeping the faith?

Our relationships, every single one can be sacred, if we remember to look for the light in them. Expressing love and gratitude, looking for the Divine, aligning with your ideals and looking for ways to serve will help you keep the faith. Carry on! See you next time!