The following comes from Walt’s book, Lighting Your Way, With Love

Okay, so when you hear the word, "theology," what is your initial reaction?  Are you a little intimidated?  Perhaps even turned off?  I remember sitting in my first theology class in seminary and feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.  Theology as a course of academic study relies heavily on philosophy; I was a business major.  Though I had gone to a few Bible studies and was involved in the liturgical life of my home church, I was not a theologian and seriously doubted at the time that I'd ever become one.  

In academia, theology has its own language and logic.  Some of it is dense stuff that requires a lot of pondering and pontificating. As I sat in that seminary classroom in Gettysburg, I recall fretting, wondering if there was a place for me in the church.  How could I be a pastor if I couldn't do theology?  Within a short time, though, I discovered two things that made these questions irrelevant.

First, although it seems strange initially, theology as a course of study relies on a unique language, and languages can be learned.  If you crack the code, all those big three- and four-syllable words, it becomes manageable.  Second, and far more critical, is that everyone already has a theology, which may or may not align with that of the ancient philosophers or prominent thinkers of the time.  Put simply, theology is a "word (logos)" about "God (Theos)."  We all have a theology because we have all thought about God. Even the most petulant atheist has a theology.  Ironically, saying that there is no God is, in fact, a word about God.  Even children have a theology.  Ask a little one to tell you something about God and you will be surprised at the answers.

If we all have a theology, then we are all theologians of a sort.  On a regular basis, consciously or unconsciously, we make adjustments and additions to our theology.  Experiences in life can add positive or negative ideas about God to our "working" theology.  For example, you find the love of your life.  From the experience of being in love, you might say that God, who is the source of love, brought you together with your beloved.  Or perhaps you just suffered the death of a loved one.  Speaking from the depth of your loss, you might be angry at God and say that God doesn't care about human struggles.  

At this point, you might be thinking: This is all interesting, but what is the point?  Do we need a theology at all?  Does it matter what my “working theology” is? How does it relate to what I'm doing now in the real world?  Can't I get by without it?

Sure, you can get by in life without giving much thought to God. You can survive without a working theology, just as you can survive without exercising or eating healthfully.  There are lots of things that we can avoid in life, but all our choices have consequences.  Pay no attention to your body and you will find that unhealthy lifestyles take a toll.  Pay no attention to God and you will experience a hurting spirit.  If you don’t exercise, you will find that your body may be wanting in the physical activity department.  Likewise, if you don’t work on your theology, you might discover that your soul is wanting spiritually.  

Maintaining a working theology—here is what I believe to be right about God—is one component of spiritual care.  Connected to it is an active worship and prayer life.  These areas work together to make up our faith.  

Spiritual care takes some effort on our part.  Being open to God’s work in our life, our response to God, and the implications that our faith has for our relationships with others is an interactive enterprise requiring our participation.  It is also ongoing.  

At times of transition in life, our theologies are likely to be tested in a way that previously wasn't the case.  Even regular worship attendees who pray every day might find themselves coming up spiritually short.  This situation is particularly real in times of loss.  New questions, some of them quite disturbing, might crowd out what we previously held to be true about God.  We might feel angry or hurt—like God is punishing us or doesn’t care about us.  Ideas and images about God, one we’ve long held or even treasured, may no longer seem to fit our life circumstances.  What to do?

I mentioned above that the task of theology is an unfinished work.  In trying times, it’s back to the proverbial drawing board.  Time to return to the basics and foundation of our faith.  Engage in the mantra: I believe, help my unbelief.  Breathe deeply.  Pray with a yearning desire for that peace which passes all understanding.  Seek God outside your previously constructed box.  Have the courage to wade into the turbulent waters and tension of the present in the hope that the God who was seen hanging on a cross is present in life’s most difficult places.  Did I mention, breathe?

A PRAYER FOR YOU:

Gracious God, you were present as the first molecules of air filled my infant lungs.  When I take a deep breath, you fill my body with life.  There is not enough praise or thanks that I can give to you, my Creator and Sustainer.  Help me this day to connect my heart, head, and hands with you, giver of life.  Open my being so that I might grow as your child.  Through Jesus Christ, amen.

Today’s reading comes from Walt’s first book, Lighting Your Way, With Love. He wrote it on the occasion of his son leaving for college. It is a devotional book about transitions, faith, and living as a child of God.

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