Integrating the Pizza

September 7th, 2009 by yohan abeynaike

I had a craving for pizza the other day and called the hotline of one of the leading pizza distributors in Colombo. The operator was both helpful and courteous and enthusiastically promoted the latest range of pizzas and add-ons. Needing more information about them, I asked him about the characteristics of the pizzas and quickly realized that he had never eaten any of the pizzas that he was so eagerly promoting. This got me wondering. Do the wedges of a pizza have different flavours? How can we passionately promote something that we have no clue about? Can our work life stand separate from our relationships, our beliefs, our values etc.? What consequences will result from such a divided life?

Paul writing to the Colossians portrays Jesus Christ as the source and goal of all things in creation (Col. 1:16). He goes on to add that in Jesus “all things are held together” (Col 1:17). Because Christ is the integrating centre of the universe, he is also the integrating centre of our lives. Therefore to be converted to Christ is not to change a religion or some belief system. It is to begin a process of transformation whereby every aspect of our lives is gradually redirected towards the worship of Jesus. It is a gospel of integrity. Therefore Paul can confidently assert that “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Jesus also embodied this in his earthly life. His lifestyle was consistent with his teaching. His relationships, attitudes and values bore witness to the kingdom that he ushered. He stands as the supreme example of an integrated life.

A divided life inevitably leads to depression and hopelessness. Friedrich Nietzsche, the 20th century philosopher, writes “I am howling… inside of me, howling for my lost integrity, sundered from God, Man and myself, shattered in body, mind and spirit, yearning for two clasped hands to usher in the great miracle – the unity of my being”. Thank God that in Christ our lives no longer need to be divided. We don’t need to add different hats depending on where we are or who we are with. We are made whole and free to be what we were created to be. The pizza wedges are finally integrated.

[1] F. Nietzsche, My Sister and I. (Bridgehead, 1951), p. 233.

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