The Christian Ideal

 I'm reading Francis Collin's book, The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust. I've just started the chapter on faith. 

Collins quotes G.K. Chesterton, who said, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting . It has been found difficult; and left untried." I read that, and though about the reaction people would have if I made that a Facebook post on my page. I think just about everyone would agree with it, no matter how their faith journey is moving. I think they would almost all (not everyone, but many) would think, "Yes, that's what the other side is doing. They have given up on (or are ignoring) the teachings of Christ.

I think this response - to judge others for something we should examine in our lives - is hypocritical.  And it is not lost on me that I am doing it right now! I think a statement such as Chesterson's isn't meant to provide us with more ammunition to battle each other, but instead should be a moment of self reflection. It should be a yardstick against which we should measure our own thoughts and actions - not others'.

Surely we wouldn't say we have found the Christian ideal wanting.  Have we tried the it and found it too difficult?  Or have we completely failed to try it at all? And I don't mean that other guy.  I mean you and me.