Dumbbells, Walkers and Spiritual Health

by Michael Spyker

God is merciful, my sins have been forgiven. Yet, I still live on this earth, very much so, and feel the sin dynamic in and around me all the time. I seem to be living between two worlds. Or rather, in one world with the other, the spiritual one, somewhere I can't see. I'm trying to live well while asking for spiritual help from the Holy Spirit. I'm sure God listens and is active on my behalf. What a strange life though. From facing up to my well-meaning grumpy old self I now have to manage a new reality as well, in which God's spirit has made home with me. It's rather confusing and a challenge.

   I'm comfortable with that these days, but it's still like water slipping through my fingers. I know that my life in God is for real. I simply know that I know. But it remains a mystery how it all works. If you don't like mystery, you may soon prefer to settle down to a more rational experience of Christianity in which you can explain and believe in Jesus as it suits you best. Or you could drop out altogether. Dropping out may be more honest. You may not be interested in settling for a kind of halfway house Christianity that really is not anything much beyond a social Church experience in the belief that you're okay spiritually against all the others in the world who are not. I would agree, that's not much to write home about. Jesus deserves better.

   If you're after the real thing though, and you'll soon discover that it can be a challenge, you are in good company. Apostle Paul proclaimed with some frustration that he was born anew of the Spirit but kept doing the negative things he didn't want to do. If anyone was full-on it was Paul. His writings abound in declarations of following Jesus to the hilt. And so he did. But the power of sin kept bothering him. It's quite obvious why, really.

   Jesus has overcome the power of sin and death on the cross once and forever. That's a glorious fact. The world is still here though as it has always been. Sin has been defeated but not been taken out. That's the future. Had it been taken out we wouldn't recognize our planet, it would be so totally different. It would be like heaven.

   The challenge for Christians is to tap into the New Reality that has begun and dwells in our hearts, while remaining exposed to the power of sin like everyone else. It's a life in which faith plays a major part. Faith is best described as trusting that Jesus is at work in the world and in your life. He helps you towards true wellbeing even though you may not half understand it. It's allowing mystery into your circumstances beyond your personal control. That you ever would have been fully in control of yourself and your life is an illusion anyway. Something unforeseen can happen unannounced to rock your boat badly. I find people who are so opposed to the idea of faith rather short-sighted. What do they think; that their cleverness will sufficiently equip them against the vagaries of life? Or that believing in a higher power shows a lack of courage? That real people would face up to daily existence in their own strength without a little imaginary help from on high? What nonsense. Real faith is very much an act of courage and not a lack of it. Stepping out into the beyond on trust is full of valor. I am not here talking about mental consent to a higher power in the hope of some self-centered blessings, but of a person who is prepared to reach out to Jesus enthusiastically every day, come what may.

   So, here I am, alive in God's spirit and with a world to conquer. What do I need to make success a possibility? To start reading the Bible would be good but that can be confusing. Libraries full have been written on topics in relation to the Bible. Ideas and perspectives are plentiful. Scholars have argued about these through the centuries. A first reading of the Bible may not give that much understanding. It could even be discouraging. Perhaps a better question is how much one needs to know anyway for a good Christian life? Not all that much, actually.

   I'm not saying that there is no need for a study of God's Word. In Christian life knowledge of Scripture is important. You should start reading right away in the New Testament and you will discover helpful ideas that really speak to you. There's no need to understand it all. The Holy Spirit uses God's written word to highlight things to us. That's very helpful. However, it's the unwritten Word of God, the one Apostle John explains to be the Son of God, who is more important and also more effective. Jesus can help us along the way spiritually without the need for an exact list of do's and don'ts. He does so by giving us clarity in our conscience about the way to live.

   At this point we need to be careful. The human conscience can play tricks on people and burden them with matters of guilt and anxiety, and with illusions, which Jesus has come to deliver us from. Christians must be spiritual realists and constantly affirm to themselves that the slate has been wiped clean - mistakes have been forgiven. They must make sure to have a conscience sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who will not burden them with the past. Such a discouragement comes from the Evil One. The New Reality to which they now belong sharpens conscience positively. Its promptings will reflect advice found in the Bible. What that will be with regard to the Christian life is not hard to figure out. Most people would be able to tell what kind of person makes for a good one. The Bible confirms that. I am asked to be less selfish and more caring, not so opinionated, give others a chance and look after myself well bodily and spiritually. This kind of lifestyle is not unattainable. There are plenty of people who do not profess to be followers of Christ succeeding at it. They feed their spirits through nature and the arts. It makes psycho-spiritual health a real possibility for them. But, only up to a point. For how will the deep recesses of my spirit ever be made whole without Jesus? How will I become truly healed? Only God's touch can do that properly. As I take my faith seriously the Holy Spirit will work within me step by step and over the years sort out hurts and problems; though I may not be very aware that this is happening. That's the great secret of the Christian life. When desiring real wellbeing, beyond a feeling of being on top of things most of the time and sorting out a few problems with a counselor perhaps, there's nothing like a relationship with Jesus.

   So, enjoy the mystery. I keep coming back to that for mystery is so essential to spiritual health. Don't try to figure everything out for the excitement will soon disappear. It will be ground down by constructs of the intellect. I don't really care to know how it all works, just that it does. And if it doesn't seem to, makes no sense, than Jesus is still at work, always for the best for me.

   There is so much more that could be discussed. This presentation has focused on true wellbeing in body, soul and spirit; how you can become an integrated person who reaches full potential. Significant possibilities reside within the Christian. The grace of Jesus Christ, which means the enablement by his spirit, will make those come about, if you mean business. Don't try going it alone. Find some support. And remember, as with getting fit and staying that way, it's not automatic the Christian life, but well worth the effort. Keep punching!