WHAT SPIRITUALITY MEANS TO ME

Walking steady with Christ all the way

By R. Prabhu

TO ME CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY BEGINS WITHIN. In St Paul’s words, it is “being rooted and established in love” (Eph. 3: 17) and “rooted and built up in him” Col. 2:7). It is an abiding experience in Christ which gives us a deep sense of security in God in all places.

Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. (Jn. 15:6). Thus, our spirituality is not conditioned by our circumstances. Be it in the church or home or in the marketplace we reflect the same character or spirituality because of our relationship with Christ.

Our life is in total control and protection of the Lord as St Paul mentions in Col. 3:2, “your life is now hidden with Christ in God”. Only this kind of incorporation in Christ will result in true spirituality.

Christian spirituality is “Walking steady with Christ all the way through”. Enoch walked with God. (Gen. 5:21-24). He lived in one of the darkest periods of history. Yet he walked consistently for 300 years.

We are pilgrims on this earth. No place or position is permanent. As we journey through mountain tops, valleys, deep waters, fires and the wilderness we need to overcome the challenges of every stage and walk with stability all the way through, clinging on to Him.

True spirituality maintains balance; does not lean upon the right or left because there is danger at both the extremes on the way. Our spiritual rhythm should not be affected by our circumstances.

True spirituality is demonstrating Christ-like qualities even in adverse situations. The Holy Spirit controls a spiritual man’s temperament even in adverse circumstances. Stephen is a classic example of this. (Acts 6,7).

Like Christ we are called to bear fruit and be productive even on difficult grounds.

Yes, we are ordinary people but true spirituality calls us to be above average.

The Rev R. Prabhu is the Pastor-in-Charge of Toa Payoh Tamil Methodist Church and concurrently Pastor of Seletar Tamil Methodist Church.

QUOTE:

“Christian spirituality is an abiding experience in Christ which gives us a deep sense of security in God in all places.”