What is important to God?
After WWII, a small group of US businessmen came together to discuss how the post-war economy could be revived. They decided to turn the market economy from needs-based to wants-based, and in that single decision, transformed how the world operates.
Its no secret that our Western society is performance based. Everything is measured and used to determine success or failure. We value quantity over quality, big is better, and everything is disposable.
Richard Rohr made the observation that the Church is more affected by society than by the Bible. At first glance, this appears preposterous, but with some reflection, there is a lot of truth to what he said. In his book “The Universal Christ” he described the development of Christianity this way.
Time of Jesus – started as an experienceGreek influence – became a philosophyRoman influence – became an organisationEuropean influence – became a cultureAmerican influence – became a business
As uncomfortable as this is, our Western Church is driven by numbers: conversions, baptisms, donations, Sunday service attendance. Numerical growth is the most important criteria. Our personal spiritual growth is also measured and rated by these metrics. We rate ourselves (and others, if we are honest) by how much we know the Bible, our commitment to daily devotional time, our level of tithing and giving, the frequency of church attendance, and on it goes. Then we compare and judge ourselves and others by the same values, and call it spiritual growth when the numbers increase.
I’ve just ended a two-month hiatus, during which I didn’t attend any Sunday services. The reasons were not for deliberate spiritual growth or as a change of spiritual practice, but more of a personal need. However, it has given me an opportunity to reevaluate my priorities, why I do what I do. What is important and what is window dressing.
Prior to and during the two-month hiatus, I used a morning and evening devotional, but in the past week I’ve stopped using the evening devotional in favour of spending time with my wife. We used to go to bed at slightly different times, say a quick prayer for each other then off to sleep. This past week, I’ve gone to bed at the same time as Sheila, and we have talked about the day and prayed and cuddled. It has been a valuable change in our daily routine.
I used to think that quiet-times were very important for spiritual growth, but I don’t hold that value quite as highly now. God is relational within the Trinity and with us. In Genesis, God said it was not good for people to be alone, we need others in our lives. God “walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening” which is another metaphor for being in relationship.
I think God is more pleased when I spent quality time with my wife and those in my life than when I try to become “more spiritual” or “spend time with God (at the exclusion of others)”. As a spiritual practice, I’m starting to look at the values I’m living by; are they worldly values disguised as spiritual, or are they based on relationship with God and others? Am I living by the shallowness of quantity or depth of quality?
Spiritual practices strengthen faith and
Faith should be lived out in practice
Faith should be lived out in practice
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