The Upper Room Diaries

When it comes the spiritual life of the individual, many seek to accomplish the widely-taught spiritual disciplines (i.e. meditation, fasting, praying), thinking that if they can succeed in doing them all, they would be indeed very spiritual. So speaking of that, what really is being spiritual or rather, the subject of Christian Spirituality? “Spiritual” means a life lived walking with the Holy Spirit and “Christian Spirituality” denotes the subject of the same meaning. Spiritual disciplines are thus developed to help us as believers to walk in tandem with the Holy Spirit.

All these however would make little sense if those disciplines become an end to themselves. Many believers are observed to be doing them rather aimlessly, thinking that it would bring them closer to God. This thinking is somewhat right but it is mystically incomplete. This is no different from the other religions where connection with their god(s) is earned through the believers’ devotion. What that is different, and should be, is the presence of love. True Christian spirituality should make the believer grow in their love for God.

This love for God is something that is tangible, something that can be measured through actions. Jesus spoke of this love as a value by illustrating a farmer who would sell his whole field to get the pearl of great price — this pearl is Jesus. Jesus should become something of incomparable value. This love happens when the believer continually hold on to a deep realization that apart from Christ, he is nothing. True Christian spirituality helps us love Jesus more and more. The whole aim of the Christian life is to love Jesus. We would be on the right track when the very cry of our hearts (and actions) is to bring him praise.

There is however a drawback. Reality has proven that perceived actions need not be the real intention of the heart. Like the pharisees of the New Testament times, these people look spiritual because they are serving God by being the teachers of the Torah, however we know better of their hearts’ intentions. Service can be rendered without love.

Too many Christians have confused activity with intimacy! Just because we are busy, that does not mean that we are walking with Jesus. Doing ministry is ultimately a spiritual discipline as it was meant to help the us grow in our love for God. If it does not, then it our responsibility to make that right.

It is not about doing ministry, it is about loving Jesus.