Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Spirit-uality

Saturday, March 28, 2009

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Spirituality: Concern for that which is unseen and intangible, as opposed to physical or mundane; concerned with matters of the spirit.

Spirit: the vital principle or animating force within living things.

These are contemporary definitions written without direct reference to the Spirit of God. The word "spirituality" has mostly been kidnapped from Christians, who have received this Holy Spirit into their lives. It is used in so many ways as to be nearly meaningless.

I find myself using the word too casually. When I experience a strong emotion and/or insight, especially in church, I often call that a "spiritual" experience. But as I read what John writes I think the word is too precious to use like this.

I receive the Spirit because God gives Himself to me. My spirituality is the result of God's gift infused within me. Instead of becoming attached to my response to this gift (my thoughts and emotions - the "high"), I can become more focused on Jesus. That is the purpose of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says in many ways, "Seek me first, and I will give you all the rest." It is his Spirit that makes this possible. When I "get in touch with my spirituality" and notice how God has done this gift in me, I experience tremendous joy. Jesus is alive!

There is nothing more real than you, Holy Spirit. Your presence puts color in my cheeks and opens my eyes to the beauty all around me. I leap and laugh and shout for joy.

Devotions Archive

Spirit-uality

Saturday, March 28, 2009