Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Spiritual Selves vs. Secular Selves
I'm doing a woman's study called Reclaiming Your Christian Self in a Secular World, and read the following today. It really spoke to me and thought some of you who are trying to live a more spiritual as well as simple life would relate to it as well...
Many of us have allowed the secular world to dominate our existence and in so doing have filled our lives with what appears to be more but is actually less. Less hope, less faith, less fulfillment and less integrity. In following today's example of busyness many of us have abandoned our spiritual selves for our secular selves.
We are encouraged to eat on the run, feed our children on the run and in general - be on the run. And with this new busyness, we are less inclined to follow the Spirit when the Spirit moves us. We are less likely to hear the Spirit when He calls us. We brush aside those inclinations in our mad dash to accomplish 25 hours worth of work in a 24-hour day. Inclinations that would allow us to carry out the work of God as we move through the world no longer guide us. We have lost the time to stop and listen to the still, small voice of God speaking to our spirit.
According to Romans 8, in living by our nature we set our minds upon our natural desires. However, when we live by the Spirit, we set our minds on what the Spirit desires. So, in coasting along with secular values and ways, our natural desires begin to replace and dominate our spiritual desires. In essence we unknowingly, lose track of our spiritual selves. The very characteristics that are neither embraced nor encouraged by our secular world (Fruits of the Spirit), are the only characteristics that set us apart as followers of Jesus.
Fortunately, when we make a point to develop our spiritual selves, the Spirit will be able to guide us in priceless ways. When we allow it, the Holy Spirit will orchestrate much in our lives. But having gotten out of touch with our natural ability to listen to the Spirit and nurture our relationship to God, we spend time spinning our wheels.
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by katenicholl
How true! Thank you for the inspiration AND the reminder to slow down and actually stop to see what God wants me to do with my day.
Catherine :o)
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by a1health
I appreciate your reminder. Most of us busy Mom's forget to stop everything and focus on what God wants for us to do.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Farrah
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Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment
 Posted by matsmom97
Great post! Don't get me started on this! I touched slightly on it in my post about being a SAHM. It's so easy to get wrapped up in little things and forget our main purpose here!
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