Spirituality: My Definition

Please understand that I am not a theologian, not a pastor and not religiously trained. I am simply trying to share God’s word and interpret it in a way that is easy to understand for myself and others.

I recently visited the chat forums of some well known Christian ministries and I was appalled at the content and messages I saw. Bickering, put downs, personal attacks, and very little support or positive encouragement. I also visit a financial chat forum in which most people are predominantly atheist, yet these people were more supportive of one another than us Christians? This troubled me and I talked with my wife about this for hours. Why do Christians not fight on the same ground, why do we argue amongst each other instead of working together to advance God’s word?

If there is something I have learned it is that religion and spirituality can always stir up debate and arguments especially online. However, I will define for you my definition of spirituality and where my writings are coming from. 

As I said in my bio, I grew up Missouri Synod Lutheran and also went to a private Catholic school, I was taught to learn verses, memorize prayers and adhere to strict guidelines dealing with worship. I was the kid in Sunday School who knew all the answers, could recite all the bible passages, and could win at Bible trivia.

So my question is this: Why did I and many other children who were brought up in a largely Christian environment get lost once we became adults? (Updated Study, Barna Study)    

I believe it is because it never went from the head to the heart. Many churches today try to use guilt, coercion and fear as ways to teach about God, I simply believe this is dead wrong. This type of teaching will simply keep a person in conformity long enough until they are able to make their own decisions at which time many leave Christianity never to return. 

It troubles me today to see many active members of churches who don't display the values they preach? I see petty bickering over leadership positions, cliques and groups, those who preach on Sunday but forget every other day of the week. I believe this type of hypocrisy is also another reason many people leave the church.  

Let me paint another picture for you. In 2005, I spent most of the year in a hostile foreign country with a small group of 3 other people, two of these men were strong Christians and through debate, support and mutual growth we all came out of that year as stronger people. I also decided to get out of my shell and go to a new type of church.

Some days I dreaded going to my old church because it seemed like an act to me. But this new church was different, everyone was sincerely happy. People greeted one another with a sense of enthusiasm and people went out of the way to help you. I also saw rich, middle class and even some homeless people in the congregation and all were accepted no matter what their “status” was. 

The manner of dress or ways they worshiped were not judged or shunned as long as it was based on Biblical truth. 

This truly blew me away and it only intensified as I learned more about the people in this church. The pastor was a powerful speaker who didn’t preach down to you but related to you and made you see the message clearly in everyday terms. 

The pastor first proclaimed “This is not a Christian social group, we do not have petty power struggles and all are here to freely worship and do God’s work, not our own agendas.” This sounded good but was it all talk? 

Each week I further saw that the members of this church were honestly living the values and teachings of Jesus Christ in their everyday lives and they would be the first ones to admit when they made a mistake or they were not accountable.

 So here is my definition of spiritually:

 A Christian is someone who is saved by grace through faith alone. A Christian helps others and puts the needs of others before his own. He lives the values of Jesus Christ everyday, when no one is watching and when it is not convenient. He prays openly and honestly about real issues, he strives to better learn and build a relationship with God. He asks for God’s guidance in his life and asks for God to use his life for whatever task God has placed him on earth for. Sometimes he leads, sometimes he follows. He respects those who have gone before him rather than envying. He is grateful for what he has and most of all let’s his own life be an example of Christianity.

 

In a famous book about near death experiences that was recorded by an Emergency Room doctor, one Christian said this: 

"I moved toward a brilliant light and felt a feeling of warmth and calm unlike any sensation I have ever felt. I watched as my whole life flashed before my eyes and a deep sorrowing pain filled my soul when I saw all the times that I withheld love and kindness from others. The times I could have been a voice of encouragement, a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on or simply to listen. I realized that I need to use every moment as a moment to love and help others. If I am a Christian, then I need to start acting like one, every second of every day."
 

So this is my definition of Spirituality, live every second like Jesus was by your side. Serve and help others, do not judge what we do not understand, focus less on my agenda and more on his agenda.

 

-Esse Quam Videri-