No, seriously.
I have found that the statement, “the poor are rich in faith,” applies to more than material possessions alone. The flip side of this is the statement, “it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
The closer I get to God and the more I learn of the simplicity of the Kingdom, the more aware I am that my intelligence, whatever it may or may not be, is an impediment and not an advantage.
As a young man, I can honestly say that I was prideful over the fact that I was generally the smartest person in the room at any given moment (most high school teachers included). And given that I was involved in an educational and religious culture that rewarded and valued highly intelligent people, found worth in them, my ego was often stroked.
But in the course of time, God humbled Himself to have mercy on me and teach me some humility. I was taught that what I knew about God and Christianity mattered none at all. The important decision was to know Him.
Does this surprise us? It shouldn’t. The scripture says very clearly that “even the demons believe … and tremble.” In other words, no one on this earth could win a contest of anything, intellect and theology included, with a demon. And of course no demon ever pleases God. You do the math … if you’re smart enough.
Faith has little to do with intelligence. Faith refuses to make sense. It is based on purity of heart, absence of anxiety, and mountains of absolute trust.
I have seen, repeatedly, people with Down’s Syndrome do the things of faith without a thought, almost angelic in their love for others. They don’t give a thought for what they will eat, drink or wear. They are immediately and completely thankful. They will meet whatever need in others they are able to meet, regardless of race, color, creed, sexual orientation or political affiliation … or whether that person “deserves” it. They love their enemies not because it is politically or religiously noble but because they honestly don’t see enemies, only potential friends. They are unimpressed with how I dress or talk or argue or think. Their only measure of me is how I treat them and others.
You know, like children, the true measure of faith. I think I read that somewhere.
Those with mental handicaps often live the character of Christ effortlessly. It all has to make sense to me first. Who is the stronger? Who is the weaker? More importantly, who does God smile at?
And it pisses me off to hear how many parents are encouraged to abort these children based on things like “quality of life.” Just goes to show we don’t really know what the hell quality of life really is.
I work with a woman, Mary, who teaches Spanish at my school. Recently retired from the public school system, she has three adult children. Her youngest daughter, Alison, is in her early twenties and has Down’s syndrome. Mary didn’t know of this until her daughter’s birth. The doctor strongly suggested that she put Alison in an institution. She may not walk for years, talk even later, he told her. Just put her away.
Mary’s response? “I wouldn’t do that to a dog.”
Mary wept and cried out to God, at God, in anger and grief, as we all would on some level because of the hopeful expectations we have of our children.
Months passed. Alison was the most pleasant child of the three. She always smiled. She rarely cried. Alison walked at a year and was talking by two. Alison became a blessing, crushing to forgetfulness any thought of burden.
Mary teaches the adult Sunday school class at her church for the mentally handicapped. Mary says that when they pray, they never pray for themselves, only for others. And Mary says that it would shock you how often God answers those prayers.
I told Mary about this book I wanted for Christmas. It’s a kids book called the Quiltmakers Gift. It’s about this old quiltmaker who teaches the king of her land how to give everything away to others. Mary had been looking for this book so she could read it to her daughter’s Sunday School class. But she’s afraid to do it because once they understand the moral of the story, she suspects they would immediately give away everything they owned.
I, on the other hand, am so intelligent I read a scripture and come up with all the justifications why I don’t have to obey simply taught truth by the Son of God. Some people call this theology.
The poor shall inherit the earth, but don’t limit that definition to finances alone. What about the poor in spirit? Poor in experience? Poor in social environment? I’m tired of looking at others and comparing them to myself and using the term “ignorant” or “uneducated.” It has nothing to do with who will please God in the end.
Poor in intellect? In our seminary-soaked, ivory tower dominated, title touting religious culture, do we believe that the poor in intellect are rich in faith?
God help me. I do.
Peace.
I believe strongly that God has a special place in His heart for those we tend to value the least. Good, thoughtful stuff. Thanks for sharing it.