Can People See Your Spiritual Life?

The Spiritual world of Mario

Is spirituality visible or invisible? What does it look like? Many of us draw a clear black line between the spiritual and physical self. We believe that what happens in the heart cannot be seen in the real world. Our Christianity becomes otherworldly and we start to believe that our role in God’s story is to escape creation. This view has become known as Platonic dualism (ya, I just name dropped Plato).

Robert E. Webber has written a book about ancient spirituality titled The Divine Embrace. In it he argues that, ”the Christian spiritual life is not an experience out of this world, it is an experience of transcendent meaning here and now in this world through a passionate participation in God’s vision for humanity in theis world.” This passionate participation has a real world effect.

Do you agree with Webber? Can your spiritual life have an affect in the created world?

Robert E. Webber, The Divine Embrace p. 171

Teamwork is Crowded

Teamwork can be crowded. For those who enjoy their personal space this can be a major downside to collaborating with others. When you are a part of a team you are giving up some measure of autonomy. You can’t go it alone or do your own thing. You must be willing to huddle up and bunker down with other people. Take this video for example. It is a perfect example of a clip that has gone viral (read over 35 million views). What makes it such a novelty? It is the creative use of a guitar and the exceptional team work of the group.

Each of us must be willing to be a part of a team. This means that we have to leave the comfort of our home turf and mingle with other people. Hermits and homebodies be ware: other people are different. When teams come together they accumulate a variety of strengths and talents. The members of Walk the Earth show this concept in action. Each one is making a unique contribution to the work of the whole. It is one song but is made up of many different parts.

Are you a part of a team? Are their areas of your own work that you have been unwilling to submit to others? Know that teamwork is crowded and the benefits far outweigh the burdens.

A Whole New Mind Review

We are all familiar with the right brain left brain dichotomy. Which one are you? Daniel Pink has written a book about the value of right brain thinking in his book A Whole New Mind. He takes a look at some emerging trends in today’s global economy. His main argument is that left brain work is becoming automated and is losing value. The jobs of engineers and scientists are being done better and cheaper by computers and outsourced personel. Meanwhile, right brain jobs are becoming more and more important in a world that is searching for meaning. It is a fascinating read. Parts of the book reminded me of Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat (another great read) where he argues that the boundaries between global comerse and culture are being removed.

So Pink believes that right-brainers will rule the futre… kind of. The core of Pink’s argument is that left brain work will have to be spiced up with right brain creativity. Those who wish to succede in our flat world must be able to add meaning to their work that surpasses the basic functions of their job. Engineers must create works that are equally artistic as they are function. Scientists must be able to relate to moral and social causes to their work. Pink paints an overall priority of empathy with the right brain.

Which way do you lean? Right or left? Can you add more right brain meaning to your left brain tasks? What would this even look like? I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in making the biggest impact possible in your nine to five occupation.

First Loser: Helping Other People

Helping other people succeed can make me feel like a loser. I am competitive by nature and have plans to take over the world some day. It can be difficult for me to put others first. It is important for me to understand that helping other people succeed is far more powerful than my own success.

You and I are a limited resource. I hate to admit it but I can only accomplish so many things in a given day. When we enlist the help of others we can increase the potential output exponentially. The scary part is that it no longer becomes our output and is the output of others. I think this is why so many of us have a hard time empowering others to succeed: we lose control. The success is no longer accomplished how we would have done it. The end result may be different than we imagined it and the worst part: we may not get any credit!

How is this process more powerful? It sounds like a losing proposition.  Those of us who serve the church cannot make decisions based on our own egos. It is not about you. You and I must realize that we are serving a purpose that is far greater than ourselves.

If your church is going to make a difference then you need to help other people win. You propagate the life changing story of Jesus in this way: by teaching and training up others. Remind yourself that serving in the church should never bring glory to your own name. Serving the church means serving others. This service is where we can find value being the first loser.

The Art of Manliness Review

Woah, woah… dont let the title fool you. The Art of Manliness is much more than a collection of macho manisims. Brett and Kay McKay aim to paint a picture of the modern day gentleman. Subjects incude gutting a fish, changing a diaper, landing a plane and delivering a baby: everything you need to know to operate as a true man (see: gentleman).

I was surprised by the tone that Brett and Kay took towards the end of the book as they progressed through the superficial qualities of manliness and began to take a closer look at heart matters. I got the feeling that the authors suckered me in with fisticuffs and hit me with paternal advice. It was good! This book lacks any spiritual insight regarding masculinity but still offers a fun look into the life of a modern day gentleman. It was a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone interested in some casual, and sometimes challenging, fun.