One of the best things that I have read this week is an article titled, "Reverence: A Much Needed Virtue" by Boyd Matheson. Mr. Matheson is a political and business strategist and he served as chief of staff to U.S. Senator Mike Lee. Here are some of his points:
It is a mistake to think that awe and reverence belong to a religion.
Why discuss reverence? Because, in our fast-forward world, we have forgotten what it means in our individual lives and in society as a whole. Because reverence fosters authentic humility, kindness, community and genuine leadership. And, because without reverence, communities begin to fall apart.
Without the principle of reverence and slowing down to feel awe, respect, gratitude and power, people simply exist as they continue the meaningless chase of the rat-race of life.
It is true that reverence is most obvious when it is missing, and it is missing most often in people who are, or who think they are exceptional above all others.
We live in a world that actually celebrates the irreverent. An irreverent soul is arrogant and shameless, unable to feel awe in the face of things higher or greater than self. The irreverent soul,
orbiting in the center of his or her own universe, is so consumed with
themselves and how they can draw attention to themselves that they seek
out the lowest forms of behavior to shock society, disrespect others and flaunt what they've got and believe others cannot have.
So how do we find and cultivate the virtue of reverence in our daily lives? Paintings and photography, music and songs, sunrises and sunsets, holy words and humble wisdom may widen the sphere of majesties from which people can feel a sense of awe. Once reverence is awakened, everything becomes much more rich, more vibrant, more and more alive. Reverence is often where insight and inspiration begin.
(Deseret News, March 3, 2016, bold letters added)
