Portland Spirituality Part 1 of 2

The Work of the People

Surely you've noticed that spirituality is in, religious is out. So much extra, uncalled for, irreligious baggage has been added to religious that no one wants to pack it for a trip. Live with it? No way! Being spiritual has a nice, nebulous, non-obtrusive sound to it. Spiritual is 'in.'

I know a Christ follower who years ago was looking for someone's company. He tried the on line dating route. He used the word spiritual instead of Christian or religious and he opened Pandora's Box. Spiritual means whatever you want it to mean. In another words, it means absolutely nothing. God said, "I am that I am," a theologically pregnant statement. Saying your spiritual is like saying, "I'm not that I'm not." In other words, nothing, no one defines me.

There was a time when spirituality represented the essence of who we are. Someone spiritual was someone in an intimate relationship with God. The echoes of that on-going conversation were reflected in their love and respect for others and their distance from the things that break the heart of God.

Contrary to the popular, "Nothing and no one defines me," Jesus said, "Follow me." Christians are supposed to be known for their love for God ... and their love for others. Uniquely, love for others; not what we say we believe, not who we say we are, not who we say we are not, is the visible, tangible evidence that we are in relationship with God. It is also evidence there is a God.

Many of the Gospel parables are all about how we live and how we treat others. Love? Jesus said that no greater love is when we are willing to die for one another. Is that a someday, future event or a daily reflection of the God who dwells within us? Whatever we call ourselves is only our attempt to define ourselves for who we think we are. Who we are is how we live. Does it matter if someone calls a rose a weed? Don't we still know it's a rose? Whatever we call ourselves, whatever we say we believe doesn't change who we really are. Isn't that why so many of us are plagued with fear, doubt and anxiety?

Do you thirst for God, but feel dry and empty? Are you content to sit there saying you're great, pretending everything is wonderful when it isn't? We know God inhabits the praise of his people and maybe you need to try praising God a little differently once in a while. I'm not talking about leaving your church, but I am talking about mini-vacations, tiny sabbaticals, even spiritual exercise.

There are spiritual exercises, disciplines (an unpopular word), that can help us understand our relationship with God and our relationship with others. We are all unique. We don't resonate with the same things. Does your spiritual exercise lighten your load, quiet your spirit, help you settle into a position so you can whisper your praise and worship and love for God? Does it strengthen your faith and trust in God? Does it help you be still so you can listen? Finally, if it deepens your compassion for others than the heart of God has touched you and you have found a spiritual exercise for this season of your life.