Rick Riordan has written many books regarding Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology. He tells the stories in a modern light, but basically true to the character of the mythological gods. The sad truth is that the gods were no different from the humans in their values or life styles. They were greedy, narcissistic, self aggrandizing, and generally the worst examples of humanity intoxicated by power. Adultery did not seem to be an issue to the gods. They tricked, betrayed, used, and generally treated all others, gods and humans, as resources to be exploited for selfish reasons. They were not worthy of admiration. Worshipping the mythological gods was basically the same as worshipping a reflection of themselves.

The shocking part of the story is that these gods were worshiped for extended periods of time in history. Some of the greatest structures ever built, and still remaining, were built for these gods. I feel that it is probably safe to say that many of the humans had better values than the gods they worshiped or their societies would have died, or been crushed, long before they were. Someone must have had some strength of character because the gods they worshiped certainly didn’t.

That image is relevant to today. Our culture currently prefers/worships so many different aberrations of true values (gods with a little “g”). School systems have been put in the position of departing from established values and pushing the cultural move to liberality in which anything is acceptable if enough people support it. Standards are accepted based on their relevance to popularity. Greed is so common place that businesses are in a constant fight to minimize or accept corruption. This is like reading the myths of the gods of Olympus. Whatever works, or seems to work, is okay.

True values exist of their own accord and are not just philosophies to pick up or discard based on convenience or culture. Jesus is the embodiment of truth that is not, and cannot be, corrupted. He is the antithesis of selfishness. He is the king of the upside kingdom in which giving is encouraged and taking and selfishness is disdained. The values of Christ work in all cultures throughout all time because He is truly God. The values of Christ even work in the workplace without using Bible verses or other church linguistics. It works because He, the creator, built it into the entire system of creation. God’s values work.

Ask a customer what he thinks when he finds a business which is honest, dependable, and faithful. Edward W. Demming wrote books and taught the principles of excellence that turned the Japanese economy around after WWII. Excellence uses the qualities and morals we have learned through Christianity including things like truth, honor, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the other ones the gods of Olympus could not comprehend. You have found a wonderful friend when you find a business that operates under the values of excellence. It is possible to see the face of God in His creation even when people do not openly know or acknowledge Him. God continually proves Himself true to anyone who is looking to see and listening to hear.