Our guest blogger for this post is Rev. Preston Davis, Minister to High Point University. 
When was the last time you heard someone say of another person, “Man, he’s SO religious!” and mean it in a positive way? I’m guessing rarely. It’s odd because if you look at the most pivotal figures in history—people who shifted the world—you’ll find deeply religious people: Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, to name just a few. I want to be like these people when I grow up. I want to look at the world the way they look at the world. I want to value what they value. I want to be their kind of religious.
In reading The Work, it’s clear that the real work Moore does is not about titles or tasks, it’s about answering the ancient question: “Why does my life matter?” This is that ever-present question that is under the surface of each of Moore’s moves in life, from student to soldier, from public policy analyst to investment banker, and finally (or for now) founder of a non-profit. Each transition comes with the question “why does this really matter?” It’s the clarifying question that prompts the best (perhaps hardest) and most important transitions in life. It’s the question many of you are asking as you come to HPU.
It’s not just a question for students. It’s the same one I had when I came to work at HPU as Minister to the University. I asked a bunch of friends and family, “is this the right move, the right place?” There was a lot of feedback, but my father actually helped provide the most clarity. I called him up after a long day of visiting congregants at hospitals, board meetings, and small group faith studies. I was waffling at one point about the decision to leave this meaningful work to start ministry anew here at HPU. He said:
“Preston, don’t make the right decision, make the decision right.”
It was a way of looking at the opportunity that I hadn’t yet seen. He was saying don’t expect that you’ll make the completely right decision; instead, how about making this decision—and every decision you make for that matter—the right one. Make the decision with your whole heart and give your blood and sweat to it. Whatever the decision, give your love to it.
When I look at the statues of MLK, Ghandi, and Mother Teresa on our campus, I imagine them saying something similar. I hear the words of Jesus of Nazareth, too:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Blessed are the merciful.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
Blessed are the peacemakers.
Could these be ways of saying, “whatever decision you make, make it with the right kind of character?” Blessed are those that give their whole heart to what they do. I think that the person who lives these things out, maybe fails at them too, but keeps at the grace-filled work is the “SO religious” person in best sense of the word. They get a glimpse of life and the world as God sees it. It’s the person who doesn’t simply try to make the right decision (there are so many good decisions on a single restaurant menu; how will you ever order dinner!), but approaches every decision with the right spirit, with a whole heart.
The Chapel and Religious Life Office has a single mission: to help students find answers to that deep question of “why does my life (my work) matter?” We do that by helping students, faculty and staff better practice the ancient wisdom from Micah 6:8: “… to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” We believe living this out is what is going to make our lives matter. We’re grateful you’re here, and we want to help you be SO religious in the best of ways. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Stay in the know by following us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
- Join us Wednesday nights at Hayworth Chapel at 5:30 for weekly worship.
- You can even take Chapel for credit! Ask your academic advisor how.
- Check out some past Chapel services on our YouTube channel.
- Join the Board of Stewards or another of many religious life groups on campus, including Interfaith United, Hillel, or Catholic Campus Ministry.
- Join us at one of our interfaith events, where we serve our community together and learning about different worldviews.
- Or simply get to know the Chapel and Religious Life Staff.
I’ll leave you one final word. The early Church father, St. Irenaeus once said, “the glory of God is a human come fully alive.” We pray you’ll take advantage of the religious and spiritual opportunities that aid you to do the work of living more intentionally, more meaningfully. We hope, while here at HPU, you learn what it means to do the work of living with a whole heart and thus come fully alive.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Preston Davis