Spirituality

In 2005 Eugene Peterson was interviewed by Christianity Today about his thoughts on spirituality. Peterson believes that spirituality is misunderstood by Christians and non-believers today. Of this I would agree.

People misunderstand spirituality thinking it is some elitist kind of Christianity. When in reality spirituality is no different than going to church, taking communion, being baptized, learning to pray, and correctly reading scripture. It is intimate, but not in the way that many people idealize it. It is idealized to be an experience of knowing exactly what God is thinking and being in total union with Him. Although this is a noble idealization, it is not realistic and in a fallen world it would be seem to be impossible. Since many view spirituality this way it is hard for people to pursue it, the eternal closeness is not felt. In all honesty the intimacy of spirituality is more like that of being married or having a very close friend (Eugene Peterson). It is not always felt and it is something to be worked on.

Intimacy is "a way of life, a life of openness, honesty, and a certain transparency(Eugene Peterson)." Intimacy should have a sense of sacrifice, giving, or vulnerability. To me intimacy means sharing your soul, honestly bearing who you are without being someone different or putting up a front.

Spirituality is a way of living. It's living the Gospel to the means in which it was written, which was and is to live life to the fullest. As Eugene Peterson puts it, "It's learning how to do." -- which turns into losing the smoke and mirrors people put up.

How far are we from true spirituality in the Church today. It is something I thirst for and I feel that many Christians do as well. It is an acceptance that spirituality is not just for those who write books or lived hundreds of years ago. Could the lack of spirituality or intimacy with God and those who believe in Christ be the reason so many Christians and non-believers turn to affairs and dishonesty? There is a thirst for something deeper in life. This thirst can only be quenched by truth and intimacy found in Christ.

Purpose and thoughts

The purpose of this blog to create an outer dialog of an exodus of societal norms and into a new place of exploration. My hope is to challenge myself over of the course of a year or so with thoughts and questions that come to me as a I struggle through daily living out the foot steps of Jesus. I want to understand how the life of Jesus can be applied to my life.

Having just graduated from college and starting a new chapter in my life, I am realizing that there must be more to life then just having a job and starting to set myself up for financial success (although I do understand the importance of both of these aspects of my life). I want something more then just going to work. I want to make a difference. But, I am realizing that it is not me who can make a difference. It is Christ working through me. Over the course of the next year, I want to focus on reading classic literature on Christian thought (e.g. C.S. Lewis, Foster, Tozer, Augustine, Wesley, Spurgeon, Pascal, Bonhoeffer, et. ). As well as reading other topics of literature from classical English to contemporary to history to science. I did not graduate with a degree in literature or working composition. I am not a literature analysis, I am a person who is interested in finding truth that is applicable to my life and the lives of people I come in contact with. I am approaching this from a Christian world view and I will be turning to the Bible to find answers to questions I have.