I'm not into religion

 I’m Not into Religion…

Self-made men and women.  Successful.  Intellectual. Ahead of the curve in their occupation.  Thinkers.   Problem solvers.  Confident and self-confident. Competent in their field.  Passionate.  Market and current events savvy.  Open to meeting new people.  Surface communicators, adept at elevator talks over dinner.  Bored.  Seeking a (like-minded?) community. Enjoy talking. Listen in order to speak.  Either conservative or liberal but there are no inbetweens. 

These are some of the adjectives I’d assign to the many people we’ve met 1/3 or the way into our cruise.  Casual acquaintance happens at meal tables--unless we choose a table only for two, at intentional events on board that invite small gatherings in larger spaces, or on land excursions.  A typical first time meet begins with either one’s first name or “Where are you from?”  then usually slides into former vocations since almost all of us are retired or it stays impersonal, “Is this your first Oceania tour?” or “Are you continuing on this cruise ‘til the end?”  Favorite tangents are “What’s your favorite cruise line?” or “What did you do today?” or pandemic-related stories that are current or attached to the Oceania cruise of 2019 which aborted in Rio de Janerio when Covid was first diagnosed.

Jerry and I have listened to probably a hundred stories.  I’m guessing that less than 15 have listened to Jerry beyond his orchestra teaching and playing in area symphonies.  I think there are five or six who have listened into witnessing his passion for teaching.  I enjoy sitting back and watching his eyes gleam, his dimples pop, his whole body teach, and his passion shine.

I receive few follow-up questions, if any.  Usually, I self-identify with something like, “I’m a retired pastor for the past 23 years.” Then I pause and let that set in before adding, “I was a high school English teacher and thought I’d do that for all my life.”  Some filled in matter-of-factly, “But then you decided to be a pastor…”  And that’s my chance to say, “Well, no, that was God’s decision.”  Then there’s a pause, then someone invites a new subject.

A few times, however, there has been a follow-up question about denomination.  Over breakfast this morning, once again I heard the more typical reply in various forms, “I’m not into religion.”  “I’m an agnostic.”  “I’m not spiritual.”  “I don’t do church.”  Or some other I-statement that sets us quite a distance apart.  A new adjective was given to me this morning as a mid-80-something female doctor said with a smile, “You’re a people pro.”

Three people have caught me later and quietly said, “I’d like to visit with you more.  Maybe over dinner?  I’d like to hear more about how you became a pastor.”  I’ve given each of them a way to contact me.  I’m still waiting.  From my time with these three, I do believe a chat will eventually happen.

Frankly, I feel like a missionary.  For the past 8 weeks I’ve been praying that the Holy Spirit will guide my interactions with these volunteer acquaintances.  That I will know when to keep silent.  When to listen.  When to invite.  What to speak.  I’m passionate about the Holy Trinity and the absolute certainty that God is much more interested in these nay-sayers than they know…or perhaps desire.  Perhaps my welcoming smile betrays that certainty. 

Last week, a woman I’d seen at our interdenominational services pulled me aside in the hallway and said, “My husband and I are getting off the ship tomorrow but I wanted to say something to you before I left.”  I smiled as she continued mask-to-mask, “Thank you.”  I was surprised and replied, “You’re welcome, but for what?”  “You glow,” she answered. “It’s so obvious.  Keep on being who you are. Continue to glow.”  Then she left as I just stood there.  Stunned.