It appears that fasting accelerates God’s actions. Though many modern Christians mouth the word “dependence,” in reality they only depend on God to do for them what they cannot do for themselves. As a result, God is more or less an addendum to their daily lives. Those who have journeyed with him into and out of depression KNOW (experientially and not just theoretically) that they can only survive when God, in every present moment, is the first and only focus of their faith.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. -Exodus 18:8-10
Early Christians did not talk about “spirituality,” much less varieties of spirituality, appropriate to this or that kind of personality, or ethnic background, or gender. Not only is that unhelpful, I don’t think it’s even possible to set up such divisions. Each one of us is participating in the light of the One Christ, so in one sense spirituality is exactly the same for everyone, because Christ is one. But each one of us is the only human being God ever made who is exactly us, so we will radiate that light back out again just a bit differently than any other saint.
Confession: remove the masks
We all wear masks. We hide from each other. It's part of our fallenness. That is why one of the most formative practices in a small group is confession. Confession is the appropriate disclosure of my brokenness, temptations, sin, and victories for the purpose of healing, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. Without confession we are a community hiding from the truth.
What is a Christian Worldview?
Everyone has a worldview. Whether or not we realize it, we all have certain presuppositions and biases that affect the way we view all of life and reality. A worldview is like a set of lenses which taint our vision or alter the way we perceive the world around us. Our worldview is formed by our education, our upbringing, the culture we live in, the books we read, the media and movies we absorb, etc. For many people their worldview is simply something they have absorbed by osmosis from their surrounding cultural influences. They have never thought strategically about what they believe and wouldn't be able to give a rational defense of their beliefs to others.
How about you? In a world where fellow believers are dropping like flies to immorality, discouragement, isolation, loneliness, and lack of true accountability, are you out there hacking it out alone? Perhaps even twisting in the wind…alone? Or are you choosing to travel with a company of committed likeminded warriors like my friends who are intent on helping this needy pilgrim remain on the right path until he crosses the line into eternity? If you are electing to go it alone, I wonder what the odds are that you will end well with God ? "How do I know what God wants me to do?"
Especially around career choices, Christians often feel like
they're on their own when it comes to knowing where God wants to
use them. Many get stuck in the fork of the road because they're
waiting for some magic sign that assures them they're headed the
right way. Especially in our Western culture, this rarely
comes.
I’m reflecting on one of my favorite passages in the book, ‘The Four Loves’ by C. S. Lewis. “In a perfect Friendship this Appreciative love is, I think, often so great and so firmly based that each member of the circle feels, in his secret heart, humbled before all the rest. Sometimes he wonders what he is doing there among his betters. He is lucky beyond desert to be in such company. Especially when the whole group is together, each bringing out all that is best, wisest, or funniest in all the others. |
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