Obscure in Christ

“Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. (Colossians 3:1-2 MSG)

Our visible life, what we can see and feel right in front of us, gets most of our attention. We call this life ‘real’, even though we suspect much of it is an illusion. Like a reality show, it is somewhat scripted, staged, and motivated by audience approval. An authentic spiritual life, however, is invisible, and thus, not amenable to public valuation.

“Your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life...Be content with obscurity, like Christ.” (Colossians 3:3-4 excerpts from MSG)

We often assume that God’s Spirit is tucked away in us like a tiny vestigial organ instead of us being a fragment of an all-encompassing God. We imagine that our life is a big deal, and God is a small part of it--while, in reality, God is a big deal, and we are a small part of Him. We presume that the purpose of life is to fulfill our potential and leave a legacy. Even many of us who claim to serve God, unwittingly call attention to ourselves instead of glorifying God.

When we are hidden in Christ, God becomes more visible. The more obscure our lives, the more God is glorified. Thus, let us be content with obscurity while God takes center stage.

Praying in the Spirit

(Continued from the last post)

“Carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love.” (Jude 1:20 MSG)

We often presume that our human objectives are divinely inspired. Here is a personal example: This morning, a thought came to me that I should suggest something to my son that seemed beneficial. And, since I was praying when the thought occurred to me, I figured it may be divinely inspired. Yet, I  knew that this was also in alignment with my natural instincts, my worldly objectives, my rational self. This gave me pause. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would directly influence my son in this matter according to God’s will.

Shifting our trust from our physical instincts to our spiritual instincts requires us to submit to the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit. Instead of being influenced by our gut-level desires, we start praying from a higher level. As we surrender our human objectives, we get closer to the center of God’s will.

Natural Insincts

“They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” (Jude 1:20 NLT)

Do you follow the popular adage to: Trust your gut? This seems like practical advice, especially if you are a sensible person with good instincts.  Our natural instincts are developed from our worldly experiences. They are often shaped by our emotions, feelings, senses, and passions. When we ‘follow our gut’, we are operating from our lower level, primal instincts. Our actions are reactionary, influenced mostly by our need to preserve and  protect what we value. Our parental instincts are a good example. Most parents react from their gut when they feel their children need protection. We may extend this instinct further by defending other loved ones, our territories, and our way of life.

What could be the downside to trusting our gut? Well, when we follow our natural instincts, we are not following God’s Spirit. Spiritual intuitions originate from a higher level. They often seem nonsensical and illogical. They are not based on our feelings or emotions. They are unitive rather than divisive. Many of us prefer using our primal instincts, because it is quicker and more familiar.  Divine guidance is far superior.

(Continued in next post)

Every Detail

(Continued from previous post)

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  (Romans 8:28 NLT)

Parts of the Appalachian trail run along the North Carolina-Tennessee border for several miles. These man-made, state boundaries become unnoticeable on the trail. You can actually walk with one foot in North Carolina and the other foot in Tennessee!  

Similarly, the lines between the spiritual and secular realms are man-made; it is possible to function in both spheres at once. In our walk with God, we are called to traverse the boundaries between our humanness and our sacredness.

When love for God becomes the primary motivating factor in every choice and decision, we begin to live Spirit-saturated lives. We go to God with every concern, every emotion--in complete trust and humility.

We are able to have this familiar intimacy, because we have experiential knowledge of God. We know He is dependable, loving, and available. We recognize that God has been a constant presence in our lives.

Now, this doesn’t mean that everything will work out according to our liking. Our human concerns are secondary to God’s purposes. We are called to walk through this life with our feet grounded on earth, our hearts brimming with love, and our minds focused on God’s sphere of influence.

“Every Detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” (Romans 8:28 MSG)

Compartmentalization

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.” (Galatians 5:25 MSG)

Most of us compartmentalize our lives into sections--work, business, home, family, church, social, entertainment--and we conduct ourselves differently in each situation. We split the spiritual from the secular. Many of us delegate Sunday morning to spiritual time. Or we may spend some quiet time every morning before we go on to do worldly things. It doesn’t seem practical to mix the two. Yet, compartmentalizing spirituality and relegating it to a small corner of our day is limiting. How can we incorporate the Spirit into every detail of our lives?

We may not recognize some of the barriers that we unwittingly erect to cordon off the Spirit. For example, when facing a major decision, most of us take an inventory of our resources and talents, look at the pros and cons of each side, and make the most efficient, practical, and productive choice. Thus, our resources, talents, logic, efficiency, practicality, and productivity--all can become barricades against the Spirit.

True surrender is only possible when our options are limited. Once the barriers of pride and self-sufficiency come crumbling down, we are no longer able to compartmentalize. Brokenness thus becomes a blessing; it leads to vulnerability, which, in turn, allows the Spirit to flow freely into every aspect of our lives.

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Image Maintenance

The other day, I saw a cleaning company van  with the following logo:

“We are in the Image Maintenance Business.”

I found this quite amusing.  If we were completely honest, most of us would have this logo on our cars, our homes, our bodies, our clothes, our kids, etc. We all spend a great deal of our time and energy on maintaining our self-image. We want to be perceived as good, attractive, smart, successful, capable, competent, etc.  Therefore, we display our positive traits while camouflaging our negative traits.

Image making and maintenance is a normal phase of human development. According to author Richard Rohr, during the first half of life, we typically operate from our ego-consciousness. Everything is self-referential at this stage: How does this affect me? How does this make me look? What’s in it for me? This is a necessary part of figuring out our place in this world, our purpose. Unfortunately, some of us get stuck in this phase well into the second half of our lives. As young adults, we create an image and then spend the rest of our lives trying to maintain it. Some cultures encourage this behavior from generation to generation. Instead of recognizing it as developmental stagnation, these societies condone status seeking and social climbing, even among those who are old enough to know better.

By the second half of life, we are capable of moving on from this egocentric paradigm. We can recognize that using ourselves as a reference point is silly. As we realize our insignificance, we become less attached to our visions. As we evolve, we become less concerned about how we fit into this world and more interested in God’s purpose.  

Planting and Harvesting

“The person who sows through human means will harvest decay from human means, but the person who sows in the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. Let's not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest—if we do not give up.”  (Galatians 6:8-9 ISV)

This year, I planted two raised-bed gardens. In the first bed, I planted seedlings that had already sprouted. These small plants, bought from a local store, gave me immediate satisfaction. They could be planted in neat rows with mulch in between to keep the weeds at bay. Since they were visible, they were easy to water, and they grew and matured quickly. In the second  bed, I planted seeds. For the first few weeks, it was disheartening. There were no visible signs of growth. Weeds popped up before the seeds sprouted. It seemed like I was just watering dirt and weeds. I almost felt like giving up on it.

The first garden is similar to investing in worldly pursuits. It yields visible, tangible results quickly. Since we are sowing through human means, it is more manageable--we have a certain degree of control over the outcome. It is gratifying to connect our efforts to the positive rewards.

The second garden is similar to investing in spiritual pursuits. We plant in faith; we water what we cannot see; we wait in hope. The timing and the results are beyond our control. It is difficult to take credit for anything.

Our human nature compels us to pay more attention to the first garden of worldly pursuits, where our investments and our returns are visible, manageable, and immediately gratifying--while neglecting our spiritual garden. Planting in the Spirit may not yield conspicuous rewards, but the the growth is enduring. So don’t give up. Keep investing in God’s goodness; wait for His timing and harvest.

Orthopraxy

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  (James 2:17 NIV)

Orthodoxy is defined as correct belief. It is steeped in traditional beliefs and ritualism. Orthopraxy, on the other hand, is defined as ‘right practice’ and is based on correct conduct. How does one evolve from being a believer to a practitioner of faith?

I believe God’s Spirit is within me. How does this manifest in my conduct? Does godly energy seep through my pores? Is it expressed through my thoughts, words, actions, and character? Or am I like one of those stubborn actors whom directors detest--an actor who is un-directable? Do I insist on expressing my own vision instead of obeying God’s directions? Will I allow God to manifest His Spirit and Grace through me?

“Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13 MSG)

Psalm 121

“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!” (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT)

How do you climb a mountain? Do you look up at the steep peak? Or do you look down at your feet? The best way to conquer a mountain is to listen to your guide and focus on your next few steps. If you look too far ahead, you are liable to stumble and get injured.

Sometimes, we keep staring at a problem, imagining that if we focus long enough on it, we will have a solution. This merely makes us more apprehensive, frustrated, and exhausted. Instead, if we rely on our Lord to guide us, He will instruct us on our next step, and then the next, and so on. Our Guide is capable--He is always attentive, protective, and dependable.

“The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” (Psalm 121:8 NLT)

Paying Tribute

There is a state park a few hours from our house that my family visits almost every year. There are several hiking trails in this park, but only one of them is clearly marked. There is a huge sign at the trailhead with parking conveniently located nearby. The trail itself is easy and short--and thus, very popular. Whenever we go to this park, we hike this trail, wander around a bit to the other parts of the park, and come home. This year, we had a map of the park. We found an obscure trail that was steep and narrow. It wound through ravines and dry gulches...and finally led to a beautiful lake. Since the hike was moderately difficult, we had to concentrate on where we placed each step. But every so often, one of us would say: “Stop, look at this beautiful view!” We took a few pictures, even though we knew from experience that they would not be able to capture the full essence of our experience.

Some of us choose paths of faith that are popular and well-marked. Others go out of their way to hike through secluded trails that occasionally lead to hidden insights and perspectives. If you happen to have the privilege to be a witness to God’s glory, share your experience. You will not be able to express it fully, but don’t let that stop you. Speak, write, sing, play an instrument, take photographs, paint, draw, dance--gush forth in whatever manner you can! Pay tribute to the Creator.

Life-Giving Spirit

“The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him,

  the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding,

The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength,

  the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God.” (Isaiah 11:2 MSG)

Most of us exist and function at a basic level. We are born, and we learn to survive. Like ducklings, we conform our thoughts and behavior to those around us. We wake up every morning and search for significance and  excitement. If conformity doesn’t work, we try to find our own, unique path. Occasionally, we carve out shallow puddles of happiness and meaning. But, what if we could have more?

I want the best for my family and friends. I want light, love, joy, and grace. I want lasting contentment that is beyond human orchestration. I believe that there is a deep well within each of us, yet we need a power greater than ourselves to draw it from us.

Therefore, I pray:

May the life-giving Spirit of God hover over us--drawing forth wisdom, understanding, direction, strength, knowledge, and a deep reverence for God.

Murky Waters

I have a tendency toward black-or-white thinking. My craving for order, certainty, and predictability has led to a degree of perfectionism in certain areas. Sociologist Brene Brown calls perfectionism “the 20-ton shield that we carry around hoping that it will keep us from being hurt.” I agree. Perfectionism can feel useful and protective at times. However, it can be a barrier to living fully.

“I spent a lot of years trying to outrun or outsmart vulnerability by making things certain and definite, black and white, good and bad. My inability to lean into the discomfort of vulnerability limited the fullness of those important experiences that are wrought with uncertainty: Love, belonging, trust, joy, and creativity to name a few.” (Brene Brown)

Perfectionism compels us to only proceed forward in times of clarity. Reality is seldom black or white; it is mostly filled with grey mediocrity. We can either choose to drown in these murky waters, or swim through. Accepting that life is unpredictable and messy is uncomfortable. Some of us attempt to avoid this discomfort by refusing to participate. However, when the consequences of disengagement become overwhelming, we start struggling and moving through the murkiness. We  ‘lean into the discomfort’ of feeling incompetent and uncertain. We learn to cooperate with reality, even when it doesn’t align perfectly with our notions. We attend to our daily growth, evolving gradually as we consent to vulnerability.

Trusting in Ideals

“And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:8 NLT)

Idols are shaped by human hands. They give us something to focus on temporarily. In the long run, they prove to be ineffectual and impotent. Trusting in anything man-made eventually leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction.

Many of our ideals are shaped by human minds. Each generation teaches the next to seek prosperity, success, personal control, comfort, gratification, amusement, admiration, and pleasure. These ideals become our idols. We put these gold standards up on pedestals and glorify them. Anyone who refuses to bow down to these commonly held values is considered lazy, unambitious, and unacceptable.

When we look to human ideals to satisfy us, to make our life meaningful, we  set ourselves up for disappointment. Values such as truth, character, justice, kindness, honesty, and love seem like pragmatic substitutes until we realize that these, too, have become diluted by human ideas.  So then, what can we rely on?

“Trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield.” (Psalm 115:9 NLT)

Focus on God, the source of all goodness. Put your complete confidence in Him.

Seeking Wisdom

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.” (James 1:5 NLT)

Could it really be that simple? Ask for wisdom, and you receive it? Well, I’ve been asking for a while--for myself and for my loved ones--still waiting!

“But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (James 1:6-8 NLT)

I try to keep my options open--searching for worldly solutions on my own, while, at the same time, asking for God’s help. It’s like when I am at the check-out at the grocery store--even though I have my cart in one line, I keep my eyes open in case a faster line opens up somewhere nearby. Similarly, even though I want God to intervene, if I can find my own solution faster, I go for it.

It seems that wisdom comes as a package deal along with trials and challenges. And, in order to receive it, we must show proof of complete dedication and unwavering devotion to God. Wisdom is not intended to make our life smoother, or to help us avoid problems; instead, it keeps us in oneness with God as we face afflictions boldly, confident that God is all we need.

Breaking Chains

“But I am going to take off your chains and let you go.” (Jeremiah 40:4 NLT)

There’s a little white dog that is often tied out on a stake in my neighbor’s front yard. The dog must have broken out recently, because now she is restrained with a new, bigger chain.

What are the chains that bind you, preventing you from fulfilling your true purpose?

Over the course of my life, I have been imprisoned by chains of fear, self-absorption, pride, disappointment, bitterness, unforgiveness, and the desire for control. Some of these tethers have been loosened a bit, but others have been reinforced with new, heavier chains.

How can we be free from these bindings that hold us back?

Well, the thing about chains is that they are made up of a series of links. Every link has a weak point where it comes together. Pulling apart even one link, any link, is enough to break the chain and set us free. We may have to drag a part of this broken chain along with us for the rest of our lives. This might weigh us down, but we are no longer in bondage.

Brooks Along the Way

“But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way.” (Psalm 110:7 NLT)

When we are traveling through difficult, bleak phases of life, even trickles of compassion can be such a blessing. I have had such refreshing brooks in my times of desperation--people who have generously given of  their time and attention. At other times, I have been called to be the conduit of grace--to reinvigorate others in their time of need.

When we submit to God’s travel plans, we may not know the destination, the itinerary, or even the estimated time of arrival. However, we can be assured that He will provide brooks along the way to sustain and strengthen us. These brooks may be in the form of rest stops--short respites from the brutal heat and constant pressure. Or it might come in the form of kind friends, supportive family members, a good book, an encouraging word, a hopeful song, or a good night’s sleep. So, if you are weary and in need of refreshment, keep an eye out for the brooks that God provides. And when you feel nudged to be the brook for someone else, take the time to be compassionate and share the grace.  

Nature-Bending

"I am (El Shaddai) God Almighty. Live in constant awareness that I'm always with you.” (Genesis 17:1 ISV)

According to the Pulpit Commentary, El Shaddai is "the God who compels nature to do what is contrary to itself, and subdues it to bow and minister to grace." (Delitzsch)

Have you encountered this nature-bending God? I have. Over and over, I have witnessed people who were compelled to break out of their habitual states of addiction, immorality, and self-indulgence and submit to grace. Yet, I easily forget this. Every time I encounter a situation where the natural state of things is contrary to my wishes, I become overwhelmed and agitated. I fail to remember all the times that God has bent nature to do what is contrary to itself, transforming hopeless, broken individuals in supernatural ways.

God’s ways and timing are unpredictable. The long waiting periods can be demoralizing and discouraging. It is natural to become frustrated at the delay instead of looking forward with confident expectation. Here, too, we need El Shaddai--the nature-bending God--to prod us out of our habitual lack of trust, and subsequent desire to be in control. When we live in constant awareness that God is always with us, we are wrapped in his intimate presence and comfort.  This allows us to move forward, even when we don’t know any details of the travel plan God has for us.

Destroying the Spirit

“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV)

Our heart muscles continue to function properly without any conscious effort on our part. They continue to work consistently as long as they are not damaged. Over time, arteries can slowly become clogged with plaque, resulting in a reduction of blood and a lack of oxygen, which can lead to heart muscle damage.

The Holy Spirit within us can also be quenched by neglect. If we routinely ignore or resist God, our sensitivity and receptivity to His Spirit decreases. Over time, our souls slowly become hard and stiff, blocking the flow of grace, stifling the Spirit within us.

How can we prevent this from happening? We can pay attention to God’s whispers--listen, trust, and obey. Many of us are resistant to the concept of obedience. It smacks of medieval conformity. Yet, our spiritual health depends on it. The more we respond and comply, the more sensitive and unobstructed we become. Eventually, our lives evolve into free-flowing channels for God’s Spirit.

Mind vs. Spirit

(continued from last post)

“I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV)

The skeletal muscles that are attached to the bones of our arms and legs are voluntary muscles. Most of the time, we decide when and how to move these muscles. Yet, if you have ever had your reflexes checked, you know that we can also have knee-jerk reactions to certain stimuli. Involuntary muscles can be found in our intestines and hearts. These muscles are beyond our conscious control, but they help our  internal organs to function consistently. Both voluntary and involuntary muscles are integral to our well-being.

The mind and the spirit are two separate entities. The mind is filled with thoughts, which are like the voluntary muscles in our body. Some of our thoughts may be reflexive, but most can be directed with discipline.  The spirit is like an involuntary muscle that is beyond our control. When we pray with our minds--we consciously direct our thoughts and concerns up to God. However, the spirit within us prays on its own accord, as long as we don’t destroy it.

Minding the Mind

If we were to compare our body to a vehicle, the mind would be the dashboard with all the controls, and our spirit would be the fuel that powered everything. All these parts are connected and  integral to our well-being and purpose. When any one of these parts malfunctions, we are in need of attention and possibly repair.

Recently, I have been paying more attention to the dashboard of my car, because it has been lighting up with different warnings. There was a notification that it was time for an oil change. However, even after I took it to a mechanic and got the oil and filter changed, the warning sign was still there. I had to reset the system controls manually, which took a bit of effort.

The mind is the central command center that operates the body. It notifies us of our present condition, providing us with warnings when needed. It tells us when to be afraid, when to be carefree, when to take risks, when to be cautious, when to grieve, when to be glad, when to be bold, and when to submit. Yet our mind doesn’t always function properly.  Sometimes, it gives false signals--causing us to get stuck in certain mood patterns and attitudes beyond what is necessary or healthy.  When this happens, it takes some effort to reset it.  

(continued in next post)

Pools of Reflection

“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (Timothy 2:7 NIV)

Our days are filled with agitative activity, and our nights are fraught with restless sleep. Managing noise and distraction takes up so much energy. Most of us rarely experience true moments of stillness. Where can we go, what can we do to experience tranquility and lucidity?

Ponds and small lakes are ideal spots for contemplation.  Still waters can be conducive to both exterior and interior reflection. If we can calm our choppy minds long enough to think, we can achieve a certain degree of clarity.

I find that reflecting on pools of words can also bring clarity. I will meditate on a verse of scripture, or just a word or concept throughout the day. Sometimes it just calms me down. Oftentimes I can sense a vague outline of something deeper, yet outside my grasp. This is as far as I can go on my own, yet, I have to get to this moment of stillness under my own volition. Further insights are gifts from God. The Lord meets us at the boundaries of human understanding, takes our hand, and guides us into whole new territories of divine revelation.