After growing up in a wildly Conservative church and watching it attempt to destroy my family in the wake of my sisters’ coming-outs, I determined to have nothing to do with organized religion again.

If one were to measure my belief in “the Divine”, it would definitely have to be on a sliding scale. The sliding scale would look something like this:

Good day: “Spiritual” in the “new-agey,” search for greater meaning sense.

Medium day: Agnostic – I really don’t know what to believe. I don’t have proof either way.

Bad day (aka, I watched the news): I don’t think there is a God. And if there is, he/she’s flipped us the bird and walked away.

Today is a good day. I’m actively looking for meaning in something greater than myself. I was recalling some Bible verses that I had valued back in my super-religious days, and realized that they still carry a lot of wisdom.

So in the interest of not tossing out the baby with the bathwater, here is the Top 10 list:

1. “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:1-2

People suck sometimes. This reminds me to stick with it. Love. Be patient. We’re all on this ship together.

2. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Whether or not I believe there is a Lord is involved, I still find this thought lovely and comforting. We aren’t alone in our journeys. And, it’s a reminder that we are the feet and action of whatever Divine we believe in – it’s up to me to bind up the brokenhearted around me.

3. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.  If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. By doing this, you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Proverbs 25:22

I mean, c’mon. Who doesn’t like to have a little revenge mixed in with their good deeds? Win-win.

4. “Blessed is the [person] who finds wisdom…for she (wisdom) is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. [Wisdom] is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her…she is a tree of life to those who embrace her.” Proverbs 3:13-18

Can’t argue with that!

5. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

I tell this to my kids all the time. Be open. Love the world. But be smart and aware; don’t let anyone run over you.

6. “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Eph. 5:22

KIDDING! Gotcha.

7. “Children, obey your parents.” Eph 6:1

Now, we’re talkin.

8. “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress.” James 1:27

Ummmmm, DUH.

9. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” I Cor. 13:4-8

I just love this. It’s a standard I may never reach, but I try.

10. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31

That’s just good, common sense right there.

I don’t suppose I’ll be running to church anytime soon, but wisdom is wisdom. I’m going to mull over these this week.