Christianity is still the most powerful force in a disenchanted world, explains Rachael Tearney.
The six weeks of Lent, a time for reflection and prayer before Easter, have come to a close.
Easter is here, the most important weekend in Christendom, and the story upon which our salvation as a species depends.
The last few years have been strange and disorientating and we have been forced to question just about everything. It’s been really difficult to fathom the truth of world affairs. Has it left you questioning the meaning of life? Are you not convinced that it is actually 42?
Spirituality is key to our sense of purpose and meaning and it is the element which has been almost entirely erased from our lives by the Secularist movement; and in particular the sense of Christian Spirituality. We have been presented instead with more trendy alternatives. It is perhaps thought rather cool to embrace Eastern mysticism, the concept of karma is now well known and the idea that God is within is often easily accepted but these cool, attractive dinner party topics are not the only options if you’re looking for a spiritual experience. If you want to tune in to the earth’s energies, the deep powers of the ancient past, the most mystical, transformative, inspiring, uplifting and groovy vibe of all is Christianity. It is the Force that can transform lives.
The Secularists and Socialists have nudged us gently but consistently for decades away from Christian concepts. For example, it might surprise you to know that dice were not included in children’s games until the latter part of the 19th century as the concept of luck and chance were not Christian. We now accept this premise completely but in the past Christians held true to the belief that there are no coincidences, only God’s plan.
If you held a strong Christian faith and belief system you would pray for guidance and then trust in the wisdom of the Lord, not bet your life and future on the roll of the dice. Quite a turn around in principle, isn’t it?
And so I return to transformative power of Christianity. Not only does is transform societies into beacons of justice and fairness it also transforms individual lives.
The ancient writings of early converts to Christianity of the dreams and visions they experienced, which sometimes caused them to begin building great Cathedrals and Abbeys that still stand, were wildly metaphysical and fascinating. Are we denying ourselves part of the human existence by denying our spirituality? I think many New Agers would shout ‘Definitely’ – but the New Age beliefs are not new, it is Christianity that is the new fresh, updated version.
What if it were possible to tap into an energy source, like ‘The force’, and use it like Obi One Kenobi to change the outcome of our lives? What if you need some quiet ‘me time’, some meditation, a retreat, a weekend of reflection, space to find yourself? – well just maybe prayer is the answer.
If you’re of a scientific disposition you’ll argue everything is energy, it is the essence of everything. What if the ultimate power source of that good energy were God and what if tapping into that energy were prayer?
Would that give your life any more meaning? Would you discard, once and for all the number 42?
In the Bible that book which is ridiculed more than any other text, many people pray. Hannah, prays for a child, so do Rachel and Sarah, each of them becomes a mother. Simeon prays to see the Messiah, at the grand old age of 80, he sees the baby Jesus in the Temple. St Paul teaches newly converted Christians how to pray. Samuel prays for the people of Judah, they are gifted the King David. Each of these devoted prayers receives an answer; they successfully use the Force and transform the outcome. The impossible becomes the possible.
There is nothing dull about Christianity, it is dynamic, mind-blowingly powerful and extraordinarily good. It is The Force, or as Jesus said, ‘The Way, the Truth and the Life’ and it is there for every person to tap in to.
Easter is filled with joy, family, fun, food and hope. It is the ultimate story of changing the outcome. For Jesus defeated evil. He won the battle and the outcome changed. Forever.
If you saw or heard the speech by President Trump on Maundy Thursday, you will have heard the most powerful man in the world proclaim the power of God and the wonder of the Easter story.
After the dreadful drivel which poured out of the White House throughout the Biden years, the change is remarkable.
Trump and his team pray; and it should make you feel a wonderful sense of hope that after these dark years, evil will not triumph, for the spirit of Christianity is in the White House and with a President who reveres Christianity, then perhaps the West will be alright after all.
Happy Easter.
By Rachael Tearney.
Follow Rachael at @WritesRachael
