A scenic river valley in Switzerland (Photo by Author)
As I sit down to write this, I am reminded of a quote (often misattributed to CS Lewis) by Methodist Minister D.T. Niles: “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” While I’m sure no one reading this will be fond of thinking of themselves as beggars, I feel like the posture of this quote is appropriate. I cannot find or create righteousness in myself, no matter what I do. I can do right things. I can seek right direction and sometimes even follow it, but that does not make me righteous in the spiritual sense. It simply means that I am deliberately aiming the trajectory of my life at Jesus.
Those two ideas, the first that I am no ‘better’ than any other man (or woman), and the second, that I have not arrived at righteousness, but am merely aiming for it, are key to a healthy faith posture. Anything I share (online or otherwise) that is edifying or healthy or wholesome is a result of that journey. Anything I share that is selfish, proud, haughty, mean, or spiteful is evidence that I need very much to be on that journey. I know I am often silly, obnoxious, and playful. I also know that I am sometimes less than altruistic and have, on occasion, been profoundly selfish. But I only understand these things as well as I do because the Holy Spirit shines a (sometimes uncomfortable) light on these things.
With all of that said, I want to submit my contributions here in the spirit of one person, needing spiritual bread as much as (if not more) any other, simply pointing out where I have found it, and to share the practices that nurture my relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. None of these ideas or practices is my own invention or application. Some of them are not even strictly Christian practices, but they point in the direction that Christ leads. Take the ones that are helpful. Leave the ones that are not. And even if you do not find yourself on a spiritual journey in this season of your life, you may find that some of the things I share here are still valuable to the path you find yourself on in life.
