MFT36

I've been thinking a great deal lately about spirituality. What is it anyway? Webster says it is "the quality or state of being spiritual". Well then, what is being spiritual? I believe that true Christian Spirituality is like a fine work of art. Really a great masterpiece and it doesn't come overnight. It takes most of a lifetime to attain.

Those early followers of Jesus declared they were his disciples, willing to follow him and learn of the Master. They were eager to discover whatever he had to share with them. They were his students, so to speak. But following Jesus meant to share in the life of a new spiritual life form which he was bringing into being, to be involved in the creation of a new, well planned, living work of art.

Christian spirituality is certainly not easy to achieve Jesus told his disciples that in some ways being his student is like taking on a self-imposed death sentence! Why? Because it means putting the priorities of God's kingdom ahead of your own little kingdom, the needs of others ahead of your own needs. Every time you say 'no' to yourself, a bit of you dies. But Jesus also says that through those deaths comes a new and better kind of life.

Christian spirituality has a strong societal aspect. It is very clear from the earliest records that Jesus meant his followers to be banded together in fellowship. This is true because we need one another in order to develop our spirituality. When we attempt to go it alone we do not have the resources to build up our inner selves. Fellowship with others is essential. We need to give confidence and assistance to one another.

The goal of spirituality is to be a mature fellowship. Paul, one of the earliest Christian teachers, likened the Christian community to a human body, in fact, he called it 'the Body of Christ' people functioning in harmony with one another to do the work of Jesus in the world.

May the Lord bless you on your Spiritual Journey.

Peace,

Earl J. Prignitz