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Practical questions

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Trevor Freeman

CommunityHeadshotNow that it’s Lent, it is probably time to start talking about what the practical steps are for living like a citizen of God’s Kingdom on a day to day basis. Of course, this isn’t going to be an exhaustive list but all of it applies to each of us in some way. Obviously, (I hope that it’s obvious anyway!) being loving, compassionate, faithful, and humble are essential for all of us. Still, it’s worth asking whether our day to day choices reflect the ideals of our faith.

  1.  Time: Is there a dedicated amount for prayer and worship? Is there a dedicated amount for service to others?
  2. Money: Is there a dedicated amount that goes to ease the need of others?
  3. Consumption: Are we purchasing goods and services that respect the producer? Put another way, would we be happy to see our loved ones working to produce goods with the same wages and conditions? Are we consuming goods that are sustainable? Or, would it be possible for everyone to live the way we do?
  4. Environment: Are we using resources responsibly? Are we being conservative in consumption and using only what we need? Will we leave behind us enough for those who come after us?

 All of these are practical questions that arise out of the desire to live a life of love for God and the world. I don’t have a good answer for all of them in my own life and I suspect that most people are still struggling with some or all of them. These are, however, some of the questions we have to ask ourselves if we want our faith and values to have a practical impact in the world.

In the spirit (Spirit?) of practicality I’d love to hear how these questions apply to you and what questions I’ve missed!

Trevor Freeman

About Trevor Freeman

Trevor Freeman serves the parish of St. Mary’s East Kelowna and is the Executive Archdeacon for the Diocese of Kootenay. He still has days where he looks around and can’t quite believe how far God has brought him. During downtime he can be found with a good book, a properly strong cup of tea, at the gym, or playing golf badly. And if he’s honest, binge watching Netflix.
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5 Responses to "Practical questions"

  • By Judy Earle February 19, 2016 - 11:33 am

    I do not fast for Lent but have changed my ways and do much more to help others that seem stressed and need a helping hand.This has made many people happy and I have found new friends . This is not just for Lent but for many years ahead.

    • By Judy Earle March 14, 2016 - 3:40 pm

      Tanks! Nice hearing from you all.

  • By Carolyn February 19, 2016 - 10:23 am

    Voice: Am I using mine to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and for those who are not being heard?

  • By Tina McGill February 20, 2016 - 10:39 am

    1. Is Jesus my savior. 2. do I care more about Jesus’ words & example than others. 3. Is Jesus the Lord of my Life. 4. Did I answer questions 1-3.

  • By Matthew Perreault February 23, 2016 - 1:56 pm

    Where secular society and Christ tell me to do something, am I doing it because of Christ or because of secular society? Have I made an effort to understand why I am to do something because of Christ and not just because of secular whims? When secular society tells me I can do something and Christ tells me not to, even if I don’t understand why, am I submitting myself to Christ?