Religion vesus Spirituality - Mom's Mix

My daughter wrote an essay last night on religion versus spirituality. I decided to do one too. Here's Mom's mix:

Religion is a system of beliefs, usually adopted by a group. Involved in religion are notions of right and wrong and demands for observance. Spirituality is an individual's relatedness to God. Often in our culture of extremes, religion and spirituality are kept apart. But when they are wed, the result is a beautiful transformation of life and society.

Because religion is belief based it's exclusive. In fact, attempts to remove exclusivity from religion usually amount to a "system" devoid of intellectual and religious integrity. It is not the belief aspect that bothers most in the West, however, it's the group aspect. Many of the rugged individualists in the contemporary West chafe under the restraints of the expectations of the group.

Let's face it, groups are difficult. It's not good when one person makes a mistake, but when a group is in error, the results are often devastating. People are hurt and terrible injustices perpetrated. With that in mind it's interesting that, for Christians, being a part of the group (the church) is clearly God's will.

Spirituality is different. Spirituality is the unique relationship that the individual has with God. Here the focus is not on rules of observance, but rather the I and Thou of relationship; hence the appeal for so many today. Divorced from religion, spirituality frees the individual from anything but the romantic (or should I say romanticized) aspects of a relationship with God. Spirituality is as prone to error as religion. When this happens, the damage to the individual is perhaps greater than in a group dynamic. Could we, in fact, benefit when someone who loves us exposes our error?

The truth is that religion and spirituality were never intended to be kept apart. Jesus is the perfect picture of an integrated life. It's interesting that the religious establishment was so often enraged by him. For Christians involved in the life of the church, it's helpful to keep in mind that the status quo is continually challenged by the presence of Jesus. His involvement, through the spirituality of individuals (the work of the Holy Spirit), serves as a continual correction to the life of the group. Presbyterians would say, "reformed and always reforming."

Humans are prone to error. It's the human condition; the church calls it "sin". Humans together tend to sin bigger, but the converse is also true: humans together can do much greater good than the individual alone is capable of.

Only YOUR Assignment

I was reading the Lectionary today and came across some interesting verses- Acts 16: 6-9

"They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help up.'"

Paul and Silas were on a missionary journey. Their goal was to proclaim the gospel everywhere and to everyone. In the passage above, however, God's idea was for them to proclaim the gospel in certain places to certain people. After obeying the Holy Spirit, Paul receives a vision directing him to Macedonia. It is there God calls Paul.

What about Asia and Bithynia? The Great Commission calls for the preaching of the gospel to the entire world. From a strategic perspective Asia would seem a better move than Macedonia.
Though logic may argue that we should spend our energies expediently (the most bang for the buck - Asia vs. a tiny part of modern day Turkey), clearly God's plan is specific in terms of timing and who He chooses to send for a job.

It's with the best intentions that many of us want to barge ahead and do some good. We see a need and our desire is to rush in and work to move good things forward - or perhaps stop some evil. If we are aware of something that needs to be done, we reason, then it must be our job to do it. Well... maybe it is and maybe it isn't.

So... if you're facing a decision about where to go and what to do, it's probably a good idea to pause and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. If you're hearing a "no" that doesn't make sense to you (given the need), alter your course. God's strategy is sometimes counter intuitive, but His plans are perfect and His timing impeccable.