DAY 278 - How Is Your Spirituality

I Corinthians 2:6-16 (NASB) ⁶ Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; ⁷ but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; ¹¹ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ¹³ which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. ¹⁴ But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him…

How is your spirituality? Granted, this is not the kind of question you are likely to be asked at a party, or even in the vestibule of the church. The question may pose a special problem for those of us who have not emphasized the spiritual life the way we should, and who tend to use our head before we engage our heart. Perhaps we can connect mind and heart together in remembering and recognizing this reality called spirituality. Spirituality is usually known in the heart before it is recognized and realized by the mind.

Paul speaks of the natural person as one without the gift of spirituality, someone who has a “this world only” mind-set, whose goal in life is to get all the goodness of life that this world has to offer. Some are non-religious and have no interest in the things pertaining to God or to the spirit. Some are anti-religious and see religion as the spoiler of fun and fulfillment. They especially see religious institutions as repressive and restrictive of the good life, and perhaps not without some justification. And, some natural people are religious but their god is a serviceable god whose main role in life is sparing them the inconveniences and hardships of life. 

But the spiritual person receives the Spirit which is from God. And in receiving that Spirit they sample a new reality called spirituality. Spirituality is an awareness of our connectedness to God and some kind of awareness that this connectedness should be influencing and shaping our life. Paul implies that all of us are given the same evidence and experience. The difference lies in the response to the evidence and experience given, the decision to accept or reject. Do we accept and savor and allow the Spirit into our soul, aware of God’s work?

How is your spirituality? Connected? Real? Loose? Vague? Alive and well or teetering on the breaking point? However we answer that question may we accept whatever gift of the Spirit God wishes to impart to us.

From a sermon preached by Henry Dobbs Pope June 13, 1993

© Rhonda Hinkle Mitchell