Many of us think of spirituality as some exotic, other-worldly state of existence. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those of us who hold this view tend to have a divisive or even schizophrenic view of life. They can treat others in un-godly ways while proclaiming their faithfulness to God. They may fool others, but trust me on this; God will not fall for that trick.
But back to how we sometimes don’t realize how good God is. When it comes to our spirituality, He does not require us to eat twigs and bugs while wearing a dusty and musty wrap-a-round sheet and living in a remote mountain. He does not even ask us to ignore our physical being to attain a higher level of connection to Him. Why is this a good thing? Simply put, because most of us would not be able to fulfill those requirements. I know for me, I am not down with munching on a bug and twig sandwich. And, I actually like where I live, so mountaintop living is not for me.
God has graciously allowed us to perform physical actions that can have spiritual outcomes. Now I can do that!
- Being nice to people and being considerate of their needs
- Not looking at people of the opposite sex as only sex objects
- Going to church, reading my bible and praying regularly
- Taking care of my physical body
- Being faithful to my platonic and romantic relationships
- Being a shoulder to cry on and a friend who can keep secrets
- Going out of my way to make sure the things I engage in do not bring harm in any way to others
These are all physical things we do that can have spiritual results. It really does not get any simpler than that.
Thank you Lord for not requiring me to try to become something I am not just to honor you. Thanks for the capability you have given me to praise you through the physical things I do. I appreciate you for making a healthy relationship with you possible not through some strange mystical guidelines, but through the physical things I carry out. Thank you so much for keeping things simple when it comes to grower closer to you.
2 comments:
Mr. Writer,
"Your tongue is the pen of a skillful writer." Psalm 45:1 NIV
Mr. Writer,
Amen! God truly is gracious and amazing because he does not treat us as our sins and actions deserve. I agree that God does not require us to jump through hoops to show our love for Him; and he is truly a second chance God. Meaning He continuously allows us Christians to get it right by presenting us with many opportunities over and over again.
I can do the physical things such as, being nice to people and being considerate of others needs; never discounting others by viewing them as sexual objects; attending church; reading my bible; and praying regularly; caring for my physical body; being faithful to my platonic relationships; lending a shoulder to cry on; being a real friend who keeps secrets; and making sure I don’t engage in actions that cause harm to others. But and there is always that—I have to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my heart and keep it pure during my physical actions. I am so grateful God looks on the heart and knows our intentions…
I realize I can do nothing without you Lord…strengthen me and keep my heart pure, so that my actions are those of expecting nothing in return and the actions of your will.
Yes, as the writer put it "Thank you so much for keeping things simple when it comes to loving and growing closer to you".
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