|
There is an arousal that occurs in everyone. In a secularized society we are losing touch with the Fount of the arousal and the recognition of the sacredness of the arousal. Indeed, many--possibly most--of the churches have lost the art of responding to the arousal and directing others in how to respond to it.
Like going in the opposite direction of an echo, in seeking its source, we are confused about the yearning and end up farther from the Voice behind the echo, not closer. Or, we bow to the empire of psychology and reduce the yearning to neurons firing. Even much of Christian preaching and worship is churchy psychology, with no depth of the Depth, no awe of the Awesome: nothing beyond tantalizing neurons in the name of Jesus--another high, this one in the name of Christ. But, what remains after all the fleeting highs and materialistic-intellectual reductionisms is that same arousal, which seems to defy explanation and exploitation, and refuses to be killed off by the drugs of cultural and religious sensationalism.
C. S. Lewis spoke of the arousal, and how the arousal points us beyond our typical lives to the Source, a World veiled by our illusions:
If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.-Christian Behavior
Jesus points us to the Arouser, the Reality that is like a hint echoing from another place, not of this world, saying, "There is so much more for you." He calls the Reality the arousal derives from and leads to the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven. He says that this Reality is so wonderful, so divine, that it is worth being the priority in our lives, even before what we call the basic necessities of life. Jesus says, "My kingdom is the basic necessity of Life, Eternal Life."
But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well(Matthew 6.33, CJB).
Do you seek first the Kingdom of God, or Heaven, in your life? Explain how.
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He writes in the spirit of John Wesley's focus on the priority of inner experience of the Triune God; scriptural holiness; ongoing sanctification; the goal of Christian perfection (or, wholeness). Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
|
