We know the story from the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. Rabbi Saul of Tarsus persecutes the people of the Way, the earliest expression of Christianity. While riding toward the Syrian city of Damascus he is knocked off his horse and temporarily blinded by a vision of the Risen Christ. From that point on the renamed Paul is Jesus the Christ's most passionate evangelist.
Last evening The Hour host George Strombolopolous interviewed Ray Anderson, former CEO of the carpet-making giant Interface. Anderson had his own "road to Damascus" experience, realizing that his highly profitable company was an environmental liability and that he was a "plunderer" to use his own word. He set out to change his corporations practices, aiming for a zero environmental footprint. They aren't there yet, but have made huge strides. Now businesses from around the world seek out Interface to find out how they can do better.
This is a great story which may sound familiar. It's because I have mentioned it before, but it was good to listen to Anderson again yesterday. At one point George asked him for his "take" on Canada, where we claim to care about the health of the environment but recently voted in the party with the weakest environmental plan. Anderson, an American, smiled and said "I noticed that...the status quo is an opiate."
What a profound phrase. Conversion isn't necessarily desired or easy. We can be drugged by what is familiar and reluctant to accept real change. We can find encouragement in those who have been knocked on their keesters and got up again to a new way of thinking and being. And as Christ's followers we can be open to a host of conversions through the course of our lifetimes.
In the next couple of days the Anderson interview will probably be posted on The Hour website. Check it out. http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/index.html
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