WHAT SPIRITUALITY MEANS TO ME

Knowing how to live purposefully on earth

By Malcolm T. H. Tan

EVERY HUMAN BEING CAN BE SPIRITUAL and hence have a “spirituality”. Scripture declares that everyone is created in God’s “image” and is enabled to know the Almighty.

Abraham was a “friend of God” and Moses knew God “face-to-face”. Through the Cross of Jesus, we who were enemies have been reconciled to God as dear friends. Spirituality, therefore, is not about us, our practices or pious achievements. Rather, it is about our relationship/friendship with God. If you “switch sides” and become God’s friends instead of His enemies, through the Cross, then you develop intimacy with God, which is true spirituality. 

It is possible for a human being to refuse to be a spiritual person. Many live only at the purely materialistic-hedonistic level. This earth is the only reality that is acknowledged and the important thing in life is to make themselves happy always. It is pointless to rise above this level existentially because one has chosen to only acknowledge materialistic reality. Jesus was challenging this mindset when He said: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Mt 4:4).

 Remember St Augustine’s prayer? – “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts will be exhausted and restless until it finds its rest in You!” No person will be a complete human being until the shallowness of pure, materialistic thinking is repented of and the discovery of one’s own spiritual potential realised through the reconnection of the Cross. As this relationship grows and deepens, so will one’s spirituality.

Therefore “prayer” is talking to our Divine Friend. Feeding on the “Scriptures” is reading our Beloved’s love letter. “Worship” is to adore our Beloved. “Fellowship” is befriending other human friends of God. “Service” is to do what our divine Friend expects of us. Truly spiritual people know how to live purposefully on earth: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8). 

No wonder, spiritual people are never afraid to die. They are familiar with the true and living God already. Familiarity with Christ has brought intimacy with God our Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Being at home with the Trinity prepares us for our Eternal Home. For in Heaven, we will finally see the Trinity! Now that is awesome spirituality!

The Rev Malcolm T. H. Tan is the Pastor-in-Charge of Barker Road Methodist Church.