one person stopped me to tell me about his visit to Sri Lanka and how he could not get over the fact that missionaries had gone there against all odds of climate, and distance, and all the other troubles and problems, to work among the native people.
Was it religiosity that drove them or were they so intensely spiritual that they could overcome all odds to do what they believed in.
There is a huge difference between religiosity and spirituality.
Religiosity is belief in God - whatever form God may take. It is a belief in a Supreme Power that rules the Universe. It is belief in a Universal Consciousness from which we all come and to which we all go back. One's religion is a deeply personal matter.
Spirituality helps us to live in the right way. We try to make the right choices and do the right thing. St Paul summed up the nine attributes of a Christian - these are universal in nature:
Love - Benevolence and goodwill. To seek the highest of the other and to give without asking anything in return without considering the worth of the object.
Joy - Serene and stable. Not like worldly happiness, which is merely emotional and lasts only for a time.
Peace - Peace is more than an absence of conflict. It is the tranquil state of a soul fearing nothing and content with its earthly lot.
Forbearance - Patience, which can be translated into longsuffering or endurance.
Kindness - Kindness is goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of everyone regardless of what they do (even if they tax your patience).
Goodness - The state or quality of being good, regardless. Goodness would include kindness, generosity, not hurting anyone, looking at the best part of everything.
Faithfulness - Commitment to something or someone. This would involve moral strength and a personal resolve not to wander away from commitments or promises.
Gentleness - Even-tempered, tranquil, balanced, unpretentious. Gentleness is not an indication of weakness, but of power and strength under control.
Self-control - The ability to control one's thoughts and actions.
One can be deeply religious, but in order to live a complete life one needs spirituality. Spirituality in its deepest essence is a belief that God or a Higher Power is in control for we cannot truly go it alone. In fact, there is no limit to what we can be or achieve...