Have you ever noticed that we modern Christians have invented all sorts of language for describing spiritual things? We talk about things like "accepting Jesus into your heart" and ask each other "How is your spiritual walk?" I wonder sometimes about the meaning of these phrases. When you ask someone about their spiritual walk, you're probably expecting to hear "It's going fine, but I am a week behind on My Utmost for His Highest and missed my quiet time the last two mornings." What? What does that have to do with anything?
I'd rather people asked me "How are you following Christ lately?" That is a lot more directed. I believe that God is more interested in how our daily lives look than whether or not we're current on our devotional schedule. I'd like to ask someone how they are following Christ and hear "I'm having a hard time. Things are good, but my wife and I spent $450 last month at restaurants and I know that's not how Christ wants me to live." I'd like to hear, "Christ is leading me overall, but last week my boss asked me to do something I feel uneasy about, and I'm not sure what to do." Then they'd ask me, and I'd say "I'm struggling with following Jesus' lead in my apartment complex, where I stop short of developing real relationships with people I talk to more than weekly."
Let's broaden our conception of "the spiritual walk." Sure, things like our devotional lives and going to church are important. But I am convinced that our relationships with our neighbors, how we handle our finances, and our behavior in our workplaces is just as much a part of our spiritual lives as prayer is. Our sermons like to dwell on doctrine, beliefs, and Scripture. Those things are good. But we hesitate to really get into behaviors and attitudes. I was wondering this week in my readings through Paul whether our attempt to side with Paul on faith vs. works has led us to avoid works too strongly. Are we misreading him? Paul's letters are right alongside James' letter that says, "Faith without works is dead," and I don't think the two would disagree in a conversation.
How are are you following Christ lately?