Devotional Thoughts: What is spirituality?

Have you heard this self-description: non-religious but spiritual?

Being religious has gotten a lot of bad press, i.e. religious fanatic bombs cafe full of people. Religious also as in a clergyman involved in child abuse scandal. Or religious broadcaster involved in financial misdeeds.

Totally indefensible.

No wonder people run away from the label religious.

But what is spirituality?

Images: crystal power and harmonic convergences, meditation with incense and aroma candles, being out in nature and solitude ...

What is spirituality if I call Jesus Lord and Savior?

My guts tell me that the word spiritual has gotten diluted in the pluralism of our society and so many images get conjured up.

Also, in our American society, the term has become highly personal and individualized. The self-claimed spirituality of one person will be a salad bowl of items and the spirituality of another will be a salad bowl of different ingredients.

So when then is spirituality if I call Jesus Lord and Savior?

I think spirituality requires community.

There is a place for regular moments and seasons of individual solitude but when is spirituality truly put to the test and put to use?

Lately, at church, we have been looking at the idea of coming along side the other in reconciliation.

Spirituality requires the other to be present. The other who tries our forbearance. The other who needs our forgiveness. The other who I must seek forgiveness from. The other whom I love and serve.

And indeed, the most important other is God.

Without a vital and flourishing and dynamic relationship with God transforming and restoring us as individuals and in communities, our ability to relate to the other in any human context is limited to our own weak power.

And so spirituality requires community through which we can become what God intended and happens in a thriving relationship with God and with others manifesting itself in good character and good deeds.

Does this should too religious? Does it sound too nebulous?

Lord have mercy!