Christian Perspectives

Last week I had the most incredible experience. I met William Paul Young, author of the runaway best seller 'The Shack'. I listened as he spoke about the development of the book out of his own life experiences. The book started out as something he wanted to write for his children, but demand for it became so great it was published and is now a best seller in many countries around the world. It was declared book of the decade in Croatia.

Young tells the story of a father trying to deal with the grief of the violent loss of his daughter. He wonders why God would allow such a thing to happen. Although told in the form of a novel. Young brings a perspective of God and spirituality that is outside the box of traditional religious thinking. Without giving too much away, God, for example, is portrayed as a jovial black woman who loves to cook. I don't think he heard that in a sermon, or was taught it in a religious seminary!

These days there is a lot of talk and practice of spirituality outside formal religious institutions such as churches. Many claim they do not need to go to church to be spiritual. This is true. However, others find deep spiritual meaning in the context of worship with others as part of a congregation.

What is it to be spiritual? How is it that a book like the shack has struck such an emotional chord in millions around the world? Is there a deep dimension of spirituality in each of us that lings to be fulfilled? I believe the answer is yes.

Spirituality is a function of faith. It is in the realm beyond our five senses. Scriptures reflect this. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11) Jesus taught that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (John 1)

The realm of the spirit and spirituality is not irrational it is super-rational, in the same why that it is super-natural. This is illustrated in the Psalm 19, 'The heavens declare the glory of God'. We see the wonders of the unseen through that which is seen. Romans 1 also reflects this truth. 'Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

In this context, it is easy to see spirituality expressed all around us outside the box of religion. If fact, it is often easier to see outside this box than inside it. When people look inside the box of religion they find rules and politics and ritual that often obscure what spirituality is all about.

I see spirituality in the selfless giving and love shown by people who have no religious motivation. An incredible example of this is Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, He was born into a wealthy high cast family in India. Contrary to his religious teaching, he became concerned for the millions of untouchables in India These were outcasts of society, could not mix with others, Their only role in life was to clean the latrines. They were the poorest of the poor. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, spent his life and fortune developing a flush toilet that uses very little water. He was successful and began installing them in public places throughout India. This has set millions of untouchables free to do other tasks and rejoin society in a dignified way. He set up an organization called Sulabh to accomplish this. 'The Sulabh's achievements are noteworthy: it has been able to restore human rights and dignity to 1, 20,000 scavengers, set up about 11 Lakhs household toilets and 7500 community toilet blocks, constructed over 190 human-excreta-based biogas plants and made 640 towns scavenging - free. The sanitation facilities created by the Sulabh are used by over 10 million people everyday. Dr Bindeshwar Pathak has been honoured nationally and internationally for his exemplary work.' (www.sulabhinternational. org). Here is a man who is 'flying the plane of the spirit'.

There are others who are exemplifying this spirituality, including Muhammad Yunus …the founder of microcredit— using loans of tiny amounts to transform dest itute women into entrepren eurs. Gandhi was one of the most spiritual men in modern history, teaching peace and brotherhood. His weapon was self denial, and he single handedly brought peace between two warring religious groups in India; Hindus and Muslims. . Jesus, arguably the greatest non-religious spiritual person of all time, taught that if we just give a cup of water we are being spiritual. (paraphrased).

B y contrast, some religious denomin ations are among the riche s t organizations in the world. It makes one wonder where true spirituality lies

I see spirituality in the current green movement. In a post modern society, it seems that as a race we are beginning to wake up to the sacredness of our planet and the need for us to care for it. Where I live there are two signs commonly posted. On is 'stop the windmills.' The other is 'think green' these are a metaphor for a spiritual battle that is being waged in our world today that is beyond the walls of religion.

In these ways and others, spirituality is being practised all around us. It is characterized by the fruit of the spirit; love, joy peace, patience, gentleness goodness meekness faith (Galatians 3). It leads to two observations. The first is that people can love the box of religious structure, but not necessarily be spiritual. I think we all know that. We can love the music, the ritual, the architecture and the vestments. We can become heady on the culture, the power and the politics, and yet not be spiritual. We can rationalize and theologize until the cows come but not be spiritual. The second is that we can live a totally secular life and not be spiritual. Many do.

Spirituality is love. It is loving God, and loving each other. It is loving God's creation. We perhaps use religion as a starting point.

However, the most important lesson is that we need to look beyond these in order to delve into the realm of the spiritual. If we do, we will see God in people practising spirituality in an explosion of activity all around us. On with the journey!