K-rist

My lecture this morning was titled "Spirituality and Beliefs". Going into this class I wasn't sure what to expect because I do attend a "secular" college. My initial expectation was for the lecture to be very vague, as to not step on any one's toes by somehow exalting one belief system over another. However, I was very impressed at how the professor handled this subject. Instead of explaining every religion out there and trying to reason through all of the various beliefs in the world, she focused more on what spirituality is rather than religion. She made sure to explain the distinct separation and difference in spirituality and religion. Spirituality is the essence of who we are and what we believe. Whereas religion is a organized system of beliefs. (My interpretation, religion will get you absolutely nowhere! it means nothing of eternal value). I love how my professor noted 3 core issues of spirituality: faith, hope, and love. She took a strong stance, noting that all 3 are true with any belief system. Although she didn't reference it to any scriptures (even though she certainly made it known she was a Christian), I knew that it lined right up with the Word of God (1 Corinthians 13). To sum it up, she said that religion is born out of spirituality. Of course, the lecture was tied in to patient care and how the patients spiritual stance affects the care given and health of the patient, seeing as it was a nursing class. But all in all, I really enjoyed the class. And I think the professor did too. One thing that suprised me was toward the end of the class, the professor asked how many of us would feel comfortable praying with a patient if the patient asked us to. Shockingly, of a class of 48, only about 6 people raised their hand! The field of nursing is so service and care orientated that I expected more of a response. I just assumed that everyone else was entering this career field for the same reason I am; because they love God with all their heart. Therefore they love people and have compassion for them, just as the Lord commanded. But I guess I was wrong. Anyways, I just felt like sharing this brief summary...