Here To There

We know who we are, right? We know who we think we are, right? We know who we think we are showing to others; who we are, right? We know who we think others think we are, right? Who are we really? More precisely who is in charge of our decisions? Mind? Body? Spirit? Joint venture? Yes. Responsibility? Depends. It always comes down to a question of ‘this or that’? However, when the ‘Other’ is in the mix, subconsciously the answer is grounded in the strength of ‘right or wrong’, ‘sin or not’, ‘obedience or not’ ‘moral / ethical, or not.’ Life, in a “nutshell”.
 
Instead of separating God and setting Him apart as unattainable and unreachable, as many religions do, by flipping our life’s lesson chart, making our awareness and attention focused on Him as the grounding force in life, we ensure His spiritual connection with and to us in an active and purposeful manner.
 
Several decades ago there was a ‘movement’ more like a fad really, for a brief period of time (meaning perhaps six months) when many were wearing beaded bracelets with lettered beads 'WWJD' (an acronym to describe the words, “What Would Jesus Do?”). It, like most 'religious' inspired yet morphed applications, lasted but a brief time. For a number of weeks WWJD had the country and the media captivated. But what happened? Like other momentary fads (pet rock, mood ring, cabbage patch doll) in a world seeking respite from the stress, struggle, and conflict of everyday life decisions and their consequences, WWJD had its brief flash of notoriety in the media spotlight, and was soon replaced by some other instant gratification money making promotion.

For a very short time in the limelight, Jesus was on many minds. Once or twice a generation, Jesus, and/or God manage to get enough attention in the public to circumvent and surpass the confines of dogmatic religious existentialism. “WWJD” a post-modern twist on Nietzsche’s “God is dead” theme garnered magazine covers and headlines again, to brief intense exposure.
 
Mankind’s occasional dalliance with God; Father, Son and/or Spirit follows two predictable re-occurrences. First, for those in dire circumstances or life-threatening events who call upon His name. And second, those who deny or doubt His veracity, presence, or eternal existence. Individuals in both or either of these group circumstances soon turn from their precursory desire to develop and cherish His involvement in their lives. Abandoning a continued return to scripture to renew their faith and belief as an essential part of their life’s fulcrum, their new normal is their old normal revisited and embraced.
 
It’s those who invest in and rely on this pivotal point of a spiritual relationship as their ballast keel for mind, body and soul balance who then observe a momentary frenzy surrounding a sudden rush of “God’s” new found exposure and may just as easily dismiss its temporary blush of excitement. God is eternal and therefore so too is His Word. Many seeds are scattered to be sown, some take root and grow, while others are lost once again to the world's elemental ways.
 
The biggest disappointment with the faddish nature of the WWJD movement was, it hit the nail on the head! For believers in the Holy Trinity of God, “What Would Jesus Do?” is the central and quintessential question to be asked. Eventually by everyone, but in particular, the professing new believer and follower of Christ. For it is THE  guiding and ultimate responsive action question; "What Would Jesus Do?" Or as we have been sharing, what would God have me do? How would He have me respond in this situation I find myself in? How do I know? How should I respond? Who/What is my example?    "What Would Jesus Do?"
 
When we have the Spirit of the living God within us, we have the right and privilege to ask of Him, and to expect a response through His counselor (Spirit) dwelling within our now activated spirited soul. He tells us this (Jn 14:15-17). In every quandary we face, the Spirit of God living within us through our acknowledged acceptance of Christ is indwelt, to aide, guide, direct, and protect.
 
If you wish to have balance in your life, you can. If you want to know and believe you are never alone, you can. If you long to live a more fulfilling and fulfilled life, you can. How? Allow the seed of spirituality to be planted and take root in your life. Why? Because once you invite Christ to be part of your life, He will be. He will never abandon you when you have surrendered your heart and spirit to His unconditional love.
 
Life’s daily question since the beginning, and until the end, has been and always will be the same; “How will I respond? In this situation, faced with what I am about to confront, what will my response be guided by?” My mind? My body? My desires? Or my spirit? My activated spirit living with and supported by His?
 
Join me next time for Part 6 when we discover how to avoid attempting to put that square peg into a round hole.