My journey...
Sunday, September 09, 2007
The Heart of Our Existence
Was in Bangkok recently and had some time to think about my life and my walk. Though did not have great revelation but it was a good time to have spent with God. Just to know I am loved and that He is my very core. Though all around me is like sinking sand, on Christ the solid rock I stand.
Read something in Henri Nouwen's book which writes.....
We are far more secular, pragmatic, rationalistic and achievement-orientated than we would like to think. We are frequently 'the children of this age'. We have absorbed far more of the values of this age than we have recognised. We strive for similar ideals. And frequently live out similar values.
This is so because we have not taken sufficient heed that the spiritual life has to do with the heart of existence. The attention we give to the spiritual life is frequently marginal. It is concerned with special religious activities, but not with lifestyle. It is concerned with worship but not with values. Its focus is blessing and not commitment. Its concern is prayer, but not service.
The spiritual life, however, has nothing to do with touching the edges of our lives. Its values does not lie in transforming the periphery of who we are. its purpose is not simply to add some extra qualities to our lives. The spiritual life has to do with the very core of our existence. The inner life is not a quiet inner sanctuary that remains segregated from the more central and mundane aspects of our lives. The spiritual life is transformative. It challenges us at the very center of our being and seeks to permeate every facet of our existence.
It is strange that we give the dynamism so little attention. It is frequently seen as the luxury of the few, rather than the passion of the many. It is seen as the preoccupation of the few rather than the norm for the many. Yet those who give development of the inner life its true priority will not be found wanting in virtue, strength, vision and purpose.
I read something like the above and I automatically say "I want it". to develop my inner life. But then I stop. Where do I start? Drawing near to God. Slowly perhaps I am understanding that in developing that inner life is to find who we really are. The root of that is to find our identity. From there springs a core value and starts to transform who we are from the inside. So where do I start. From a desire to want it. The rest is up to God to lead and guide cause I do not know how. I seem to be waiting and searching and longing for such a long time.
Our whole church system does not teach or lead us to this inner life. No wonder it is not a norm of many. Cause once we are saved, we are brought into this pattern of worship more important than values. Religious activities more important than lifestyle. Prayer meetings more important than service outside church.
I wrote in my facebook that I feel like I have been stuck to a wall with guey and sticky stuff and God is now wanting to remove me from there and He is ripping me off the wall but the sticky stuff still holds me back and it is painful as He rips me off. Some parts still sticks to me. Some parts still unwilling to let go. Like a scene from a Sci-fi movie. I feel like He is removing an "old" church system in my life and replacing it.... with.... Something I am yet to discover. Sometimes it is not the world system that we have to contend with but the church system. So sad.
Read something in Henri Nouwen's book which writes.....
We are far more secular, pragmatic, rationalistic and achievement-orientated than we would like to think. We are frequently 'the children of this age'. We have absorbed far more of the values of this age than we have recognised. We strive for similar ideals. And frequently live out similar values.
This is so because we have not taken sufficient heed that the spiritual life has to do with the heart of existence. The attention we give to the spiritual life is frequently marginal. It is concerned with special religious activities, but not with lifestyle. It is concerned with worship but not with values. Its focus is blessing and not commitment. Its concern is prayer, but not service.
The spiritual life, however, has nothing to do with touching the edges of our lives. Its values does not lie in transforming the periphery of who we are. its purpose is not simply to add some extra qualities to our lives. The spiritual life has to do with the very core of our existence. The inner life is not a quiet inner sanctuary that remains segregated from the more central and mundane aspects of our lives. The spiritual life is transformative. It challenges us at the very center of our being and seeks to permeate every facet of our existence.
It is strange that we give the dynamism so little attention. It is frequently seen as the luxury of the few, rather than the passion of the many. It is seen as the preoccupation of the few rather than the norm for the many. Yet those who give development of the inner life its true priority will not be found wanting in virtue, strength, vision and purpose.
I read something like the above and I automatically say "I want it". to develop my inner life. But then I stop. Where do I start? Drawing near to God. Slowly perhaps I am understanding that in developing that inner life is to find who we really are. The root of that is to find our identity. From there springs a core value and starts to transform who we are from the inside. So where do I start. From a desire to want it. The rest is up to God to lead and guide cause I do not know how. I seem to be waiting and searching and longing for such a long time.
Our whole church system does not teach or lead us to this inner life. No wonder it is not a norm of many. Cause once we are saved, we are brought into this pattern of worship more important than values. Religious activities more important than lifestyle. Prayer meetings more important than service outside church.
I wrote in my facebook that I feel like I have been stuck to a wall with guey and sticky stuff and God is now wanting to remove me from there and He is ripping me off the wall but the sticky stuff still holds me back and it is painful as He rips me off. Some parts still sticks to me. Some parts still unwilling to let go. Like a scene from a Sci-fi movie. I feel like He is removing an "old" church system in my life and replacing it.... with.... Something I am yet to discover. Sometimes it is not the world system that we have to contend with but the church system. So sad.
posted by Janelle at 8:46 AM
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