In the last post we looked at the Human Condition as it relates to our lack of connected-ness to God and our true selves. This disconnect leads to a life of discontentment, disillusionment and a life devoid of meaning. We seek out things, relationships and distractions just to get us through. This is not life but simply going through the motions of life. When in fact, we are created to enjoy life and live with purpose and creativity.
In today's post, I want to look at what is spirituality? This question could get a different answer for each person you ask, however, My purpose today is not to get an all inclusive answer to this question but rather, boil it down to a simple practical answer that can easily be applied to someone's life. I leave the deep questions,to others who are more qualified than I, to dive into the "Big Questions".
For me spirituality is simply being connected to spirit. This would be connected to God and also being connected to the true person or essence of our own spirit. This connection in turn lends itself to touching and impacting every area of our life and the lives around us. I am not promoting some kind of mega, super spiritual life that makes one "so heavenly minded they are not earthly good".
True spirituality is useful in life, even in the small moments that may seem to be mundane, Today, I read a quote that makes this point, “Life’s what happens while you’re waiting for the light to change.”
There are times when we need to reevaluate our belief systems. This is necessary when our life is not helped but hindered by the personal truths we hold or have had passed down to us. In my life, I found myself facing a "crisis of faith or spirituality" when what I believed, (my personal truth) was not able to meet the challenges and struggles of my life. Namely, my 36 year struggle with my sexuality. Although this was the scariest time in my life and spiritual journey, it was also when my journey of discovery really began. I have ministered over the years with many people who are held captive by their beliefs, and who live miserable lives trying to reconcile what they believe with what is their life experience. My religion failed me miserable, however the crime of it was that I equated my beliefs with God. What I discovered is God is much bigger than beliefs, religion, sacred books, or creeds and doctrines. It wasn't God who failed me but my religion. This is a truth that surely set me free and began my journey of self and God discovery.
I am not anti- church or religion. Both of these can serve a valuable service to a seeker. However if what you believe does not meet the challenges of life and does not serve to help you draw closer to God and a healthy spiritual life, then it is time for to reevaluate what you believe. Our Faith should be relevant to life and the challenges of today. The church and it's followers must be willing to grow and evolve in light of the reality around us. After all the world was never flat, it was only our understanding that needed to change.
Spirituality is about all of life, not just the great moments. Spiritual life can have great events of excitement and Ecstasy. Like in the life of Christ with at transfiguration, or when the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. However even Christ had to face the challenges of everyday life. Here is when my traffic light example may not work, but I am sure we got held up at an intersection waiting on a caravan of camels or a herd of sheep. God not only wants to be a part of our life in the big challenges but God will even fill our lives with God's presence at the smaller "traffic light moments.
Make it a practice to invite God's presence (Spirit) into all moments of your life, especially moments of depression, doubt, despair and difficulty. These are times when we are tempted to disconnect, and turn to distractions, but it is when we need to purposely connect with Spirit. Also take times, to focus on spirit throughout the day, it is a great way to start and end the day, but I take spirit breaks throughout my day as well.
I hope this article has given you some practical thoughts that ideas that will be helpful.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Human Condition
We are in a unique condition as Human Beings. When we understand this twofold description of "Being Human" it helps put perspective and direction in our lives. Our Being-ness is something that we may not fully understand unless we grasp what our humanness means.
First let us look at what our Humanness means. In the Christian description, we are sinful, lost and in a fallen state. To fully understand this, we must set aside any religious definitions we may have learned about these terms. When many hear the word sin they think of individual acts of disobedience, or a state of disobedience and unrighteousness with God.
However, these terms (sinful, lost or Fallen) describe a state of disconnect from the source of Life, and Love. This source is God. When we live a disconnected life we are lost, we live so far below our potential and God's original design and purpose.We miss out on the fullness and enjoyment that God meant life to be. The word sin contains the word picture of missing the mark, or falling short of God's glory. In short we miss out on the fullness of Life.
Several other religions speak to this human condition as well. Buddhism speaks of life being full of suffering and discontentment. Hinduism speaks of this condition as insanity or madness. These definitions add to a full definition of this disconnected life.
When living this disconnected life we begin to define ourselves as separate and based on what our life experiences teach us. We form an idea of who we are, maybe defined by ourselves or others in our lives. This false self is called the ego. We then accept what the ego feels, thinks or believes as truth. This is the human condition that produces despair, discontentment. These are sure signs we are living disconnected lives.
However we are more than Human! We also have being-ness. We are spiritual beings created to be connected with the source of Life. Many live their lives ignoring this aspect of themselves and when we do this, we manifest the insanity, discontentment that living from this false self produces.
However Christ spoke to this condition and its cure. In John 10:10 and John 8:32 Jesus says that the Truth will set you free when you come to know it and that Christ had come to give you Life (Zoe- Divine Life) and Life more Full!
This is Good News! God will meet you were you are and lead you out of discontentment, fear and disconnectedness. God will awaken that spiritual part of you and teach you how to live a life of fullness and connection to the Source. Simply ask God for help and you will be given small steps to take that will begin this journey and adventure of Faith.
It is important that like any journey we can be on course today, but get lost tomorrow. When I find myself depressed or feeling disconnected, I know that I need to reconnect to God who is my source of life. I do not beat myself up, I simply refocus on God. I may read scripture, inspiring books, pray, meditate, listen to inspirational music, I may sing. I simply listen to that inner voice of the Holy Spirit and follow the Spirits leading, which usually comes as a desire toward one or more of the things I just listed.
When we live connected to God, we rise above the human condition and we begin to live the lives we were designed to live.We have a Peace and contentment that only has its source in God. We also become a vessel for others to connect with the Source of their lives as well. This is our lives only purpose, to live and enjoy a full life connected to God and help others find the same.
Part 2 of this article will be called: What's next? (look for it soon)
If you would like to receive an email notification when a new article is posted, email me and request it at reconnection2christ@gmail.com
Peace-MD
First let us look at what our Humanness means. In the Christian description, we are sinful, lost and in a fallen state. To fully understand this, we must set aside any religious definitions we may have learned about these terms. When many hear the word sin they think of individual acts of disobedience, or a state of disobedience and unrighteousness with God.
However, these terms (sinful, lost or Fallen) describe a state of disconnect from the source of Life, and Love. This source is God. When we live a disconnected life we are lost, we live so far below our potential and God's original design and purpose.We miss out on the fullness and enjoyment that God meant life to be. The word sin contains the word picture of missing the mark, or falling short of God's glory. In short we miss out on the fullness of Life.
Several other religions speak to this human condition as well. Buddhism speaks of life being full of suffering and discontentment. Hinduism speaks of this condition as insanity or madness. These definitions add to a full definition of this disconnected life.
When living this disconnected life we begin to define ourselves as separate and based on what our life experiences teach us. We form an idea of who we are, maybe defined by ourselves or others in our lives. This false self is called the ego. We then accept what the ego feels, thinks or believes as truth. This is the human condition that produces despair, discontentment. These are sure signs we are living disconnected lives.
However we are more than Human! We also have being-ness. We are spiritual beings created to be connected with the source of Life. Many live their lives ignoring this aspect of themselves and when we do this, we manifest the insanity, discontentment that living from this false self produces.
However Christ spoke to this condition and its cure. In John 10:10 and John 8:32 Jesus says that the Truth will set you free when you come to know it and that Christ had come to give you Life (Zoe- Divine Life) and Life more Full!
This is Good News! God will meet you were you are and lead you out of discontentment, fear and disconnectedness. God will awaken that spiritual part of you and teach you how to live a life of fullness and connection to the Source. Simply ask God for help and you will be given small steps to take that will begin this journey and adventure of Faith.
It is important that like any journey we can be on course today, but get lost tomorrow. When I find myself depressed or feeling disconnected, I know that I need to reconnect to God who is my source of life. I do not beat myself up, I simply refocus on God. I may read scripture, inspiring books, pray, meditate, listen to inspirational music, I may sing. I simply listen to that inner voice of the Holy Spirit and follow the Spirits leading, which usually comes as a desire toward one or more of the things I just listed.
When we live connected to God, we rise above the human condition and we begin to live the lives we were designed to live.We have a Peace and contentment that only has its source in God. We also become a vessel for others to connect with the Source of their lives as well. This is our lives only purpose, to live and enjoy a full life connected to God and help others find the same.
Part 2 of this article will be called: What's next? (look for it soon)
If you would like to receive an email notification when a new article is posted, email me and request it at reconnection2christ@gmail.com
Peace-MD
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