Faith Matters: Small, concrete steps can help create 'heaven on earth'

Small, concrete steps can start the process

My friend, Martin Rutte, created "Project Heaven on Earth" -- a project that helps each of us imagine a world that works for all.

There is no end of evidence that we currently do not have heaven on earth. All you have to do is watch the news or read the headlines -- increasing crime and violence, polarization in politics and religion, climate crisis, racial injustice, poverty, hunger and disease. Many people are overwhelmed because the problems seem too big to do anything about. I think "Project Heaven on Earth" provides a gentle, empowering antidote to this sense of being overwhelmed.

I invite you to reflect on these three Heaven on Earth questions, which can be found at .projectheavenonearth.com. I have included my brief reflections.

  1. Recall a time when you experienced Heaven on Earth. What was happening?

Last summer I was at the spiritual retreat that follows the Academy of Management. Participants were from all over the world and represented all major faiths. At the closing ritual, each person in attendance spoke about something meaningful that had occurred at the retreat. Some mentioned how inspiring it was to practice Muslim prayer with colleagues. Others mentioned the Buddhist practice of mindful eating. A woman from Africa told us that as a child, her schoolhouse was the dirt under a tree, and how blessed she felt to be getting a Ph.D. and being a part of something so global. There was so much respect and love and connection in this group of such diverse people, that I felt a moment of hope that someday every person on Earth might feel this same way.

  1. Imagine you have a magic wand and with it you can create Heaven on Earth. What is Heaven on Earth for you?

Heaven on Earth would be a world with no wars; where everyone had enough to eat and a roof over their heads; where girls and women were safe, empowered and equal; and where we truly loved and cherished our Mother Earth.

  1. What simple, easy, concrete step(s) will you take in the next 24 hours to make Heaven on Earth real?

One simple step I will take in the next 24 hours is to go through my cupboards and find a grocery bag full of food items I can take to the Little Food Pantry outside of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Once you have reflected on these three questions, ask two other people to reflect on the same questions. If each of those two people asked two other people, it wouldn't take long for a critical mass to be thinking about Heaven on Earth and taking small steps to make a difference. Martin writes, "Imagine knowing that people all over the world were involved in doing their part to create Heaven on Earth."

Judi Neal is the founding director (retired) of the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the University of Arkansas and is the author of several books on workplace spirituality, including Edgewalkers. She is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

NAN Religion on 01/25/2020

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