One of the things that has been troubling to me lately in my own life is simply my overall lack of practice of the Christian faith - or at least, my sense of the fact that I am not practicing the Faith as I should be.
Part of this links back to my overall post on a virtuous life and more relevantly, the practice of actually being an example of that which I proclaim to be. It is not just in virtue I find this lacking - I find it so in my faith.
(I understand not everyone that comes by here shares that faith - if you could humor me, substitute the faith of your choice here).
It strikes me that there are two aspects to the living out of Christianity: the inner portion and the outer portion. The inner portion constitutes those things that are within my control and my influence: my meditations and prayers (or lack thereof), my struggles with issues of sin, my practice of cardinal and ordinal virtues. The outer portion is how I live out my faith through practice, both within the local body I am attached to as well as in the world as a whole.
The outer, I am finding, influences the inner. I am person that benefits from structure: in that sense "High Church" and a regular schedule and lifestyle work better for me than a sort of ad hoc prayer and practice life that I have experienced in a great many more modern churches. It is not that one is necessarily wrong and the other right: I know many people that benefit from the more free-flowing and in the Spirit sorts of practices. Inherently, as long as both believe orthodoxy, there should be no problem (one wonders if the Early Church had the same sort of differences).
But for me, structure apparently matters. A lot. I have contemplated it a great deal before, but I am probably better off at at regularized church if the question of spiritual disciplines and practices matters at all.
But the outer also matters in that, much like my thought on a virtuous life, Christianity is made real by real examples.
Again, for the sake of argument I will choose ("pick on") myself. When people see me, do they see the life of Christ made real? Not the actual Christ of course, but His representative. And do they see that in my entire life instead of only parts of it?
I have the rather nagging habit of separating my life into boxes that do not touch each other. For example, if you asked anyone, they would tell you a defining public characteristic of me is that I do not swear. Ever. "Son of a motherless goat" and "Fahrvergnugen" interjections can be heard, but that is really it. On the other hand, my ability to regulate my eating is an issue.
Or take it into the public arena. There are any number of issues that the Church historically has a position on. In some cases there are actual things one could do to work for them beyond just complaining. Do I do them? Am I "love in action" - not in just the ways that people like to think it works, like volunteering once in a while at something or volunteering at "church sponsored" activities, but regularly making such actions a part of my life?
It is not specifically about holiness, although that matters a great deal. It is not about witnessing which although important so often is not best accomplished by grilling everyone on their view of the afterlife 30 seconds after meeting them. What it is about is being a credible Christian in a way that not only makes Christ real, but demonstrates I believe enough in him to base my life around him in practical and real ways.
The reality is that Christ and Christianity is a great deal more than what modern society and many people believe it to be, or at least believe it to be based on what they see. I would posit that they are simply not seeing enough of the right examples, only the ones that confirm their already formed opinions.
Wow. This post really resonates with me and many of the things that have been on my mind lately. I can personally relate to so much of what you've said here. I was thinking of addressing some of it in my faith blog post today, but not sure it would be anything more than a rambling. Still, there are things in my life I need to address. Thank you for giving me more to think about. -Kelly
ReplyDeleteKelly, I often feel I ramble. But that never should stop us from writing.
DeleteI feel as if I am being pushed into a sort of crossroads, where a decision will have to be made.
The Holy Spirit gives us different gifts in different measure yet we all work for the same goal.
ReplyDeleteI also lean toward the more formal "church". Jesus compared us with sheep scores of times. Sheep hardly exists as a singular word, they exist in flocks. The Chrisitian who free-flows without the support of his church is a sheep without his flock. Point of fact, a sheep separated from his flock is a neurotic and flighty thing.
If it is any consolation, Mother Teresa of Calcutta had long periods of her life when she felt her spiritual life was arid. Yet we can look back and see the Holy Spirit speaking through her actions and inspiring millions.
Soldiers for Christ, marching forward and doing our duty.
ERJ, I recall a pastor quoting a poem in a sermon once comparing the Church to a flock, and all of the sub-flocks being the denominations and how they were all off getting into different sorts of issues (we were at a Lutheran church at the time; I believe the Lutheran sheep were off wandering over the rocks or some such). The point was that we were all one flock, even if scattered in so many ways.
DeleteDavid Brainerd, an 18th century missionary in what is now Pennsylvania, had a similar issue. He never felt he had an encounter with God, often felt no response to his prayers or successes - yet persevered. His journals are well worth a read if you get the opportunity.
Good thoughts TB. For me Biblical Faith exists for the Salvation it promises. Predestination can be the explanation for being chosen but I shy away from that. We are chosen by the living God to receive that Faith through no merit or worthiness of ourselves but out of his love which is freely given to those who believe in his own dear Son’s earthly life AND Resurrection. We give back to our Churches (Bride of Christ), with that Faith through the talents and treasures that are given to us. Through the fellowship provided through our Christian Brethren our actions should be affirmed or critiqued in that fellowship.
ReplyDeleteThe greatest commandment is love your neighbor as yourself. In action that’s where attention should be aimed.
Franknbean
PS thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
Among the "Five best subjects to set Christians arguing", predestination is up there with when or if the Rapture occurs and the nature of Apostolic succession. It is something that the Bible clearly mentions, but does not go into the depth we seem to.
DeleteI think the part you mention about fellowship is critical - that said, one has to be in a place where that fellowship works. I have been in churches where it worked well, and where it worked not at all. But even absent that, our external witness is just as critical and something I am probably not as good about as I should be.
Thanks for sharing and commenting!
I can't speak for anyone's beliefs, but if you practice:
ReplyDelete1) compassion and empathy for others,
2) make it a practice to be a good parent / boss / friend,
3) attempt to be a little bit better every day,
God is happy with you. Everyone can improve any time they like.
It is not a bad list to start from at all, and certainly those three items alone could be a lifetime of effort. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteAt least for me, I feel the lack of practicing Christianity is due to the inflexibility of the churches themselves. Things change, people change and yet the church, or at least my church, actively tries not to change but to bend the masses to their reasoning. As a result, many people have left Christianity altogether... and that is a real shame.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard Ed. There is a fine balance that is gotten wrong more often than right. I have been in churches that have flexed and "changed with times", and the reality is that they have flexed themselves right out of orthodox Christianity. It comes down, I suppose, to defining essentials versus externals. That said, tradition plays a part as well - I typically do not show up at an organization and demand that they change to accommodate me. The accommodation may actually be for the better (given me, hardly ever) or it may not. I suppose the better way to ask the question is 1) Does this conform with Biblical Christianity; and 2) Does this further the mission of Christ?
DeleteHmmmmmm. I was under the impression you were happy with your moral compass and your place on the spiritual map, TB? What’s changed?
ReplyDeleteYours is not an example I am going to follow; I will use profanity and even creative violence if pushed to it, and I’ll make my apologies to my Maker and that’s it. Yes, I know we are not to go the way of the world, but if someone is harshing my mellow in a way that prevents me from acting godly…either my Maker can deal with it, or I will - and to hell with the scolds and holier-than-thou. It works for me and until I hear otherwise from my Maker, I will assume it works for Him too.
Glen, if what you took away was that I am unhappy with my moral compass, then I have expressed myself very poorly indeed. The point - which I apparently did not communicate well - was that in terms of a) my current church that we are attending and b) my overall Christian witness in actually practice, I feel that I am not where I should be. This is really just an extension of the desire to live a virtuous life, or perhaps an overshadowing of it, or perhaps more clearly defined as virtuous Christian Life. The apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:14 "I press forward toward to goal for the prize of the upward call of Christ Jesus". That is sort of the ultimate self improvement plan, is it not?
DeleteAs to the rest, I would simply say - for myself - that acting like the world makes me just like the world. I will be confused for being of the world. I am not a scholar of the Bible, but I have would struggle to remember a passage where we are called to less than the model of Christ.
It is somewhat confusing. If you say, “I need to lead a more virtuous life…” that implies to me that you are leading one now that is less than virtuous - no offence meant.
DeleteAs for the world…you gotta keep an eye on it…or it will kill ya. The Bible is not a suicide pact, and what you don’t know might hurt you… or worse! This world is important too; else the book wouldn’t tell us how to behave in it.
But whadda I know? Best of luck to ya!
Fair Glen - although at least in my definition, more can also mean "more of", not "because of less of".
DeleteThe World is definitely out to get us and does deserve a close eye as well.
My brother! I can relate to the position you are in, except that I am bored by liturgical (high) church and prefer the more spirit led meetings.
ReplyDeleteLately, I am more willing to roll up my sleeves, hoist the black flag and take down the tyrants in self-defense. But I wonder if that leads me away from God or just away from a "comfortable" position.
Ed - I completely get the preference and as the redoubtable ERJ says, God's flock truly allows all kinds - and is undoubtedly the better for it.
DeleteThe question I am asking myself is similar to yours: is what I am doing really leading not only me to God, but others to God as well? If so, how? And if now, why not?
I've been praying a lot as I go to sleep at night. Seems to help. YMMV.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I have been working on more of a formalized prayer practice. It has seemed to help me focus my prayer life.
DeleteHey TB it’s Bob again, in the airport on my phone disguised as Anonymous. Great post here and my only comment would be, for those of us following Christ, we are a work in progress even as we are his workmanship. He challenges us to pursue perfection, knowing it will always elude us. In my view, the fact you are concerning yourself with these matters says a lot, i.e. you are pursuing Christ. It looks different for each of us. Thanks and blessings — Bob
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob. It is always good to remember the Christian life is a marathon, not a race (he says, always thinking he is in a race). In a way, this is exactly like my practice of Iaijutsu: we never truly arrive but are always striving to get better.
Delete