Spirituality is Rooted in Relationship

               A surprise birthday party gave Melissa an opportunity to discuss spirituality naturally with women of equal tenure. A group of Christian female professionals gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of a local change agent.  Invited guests were seated at elegantly dressed dinner tables. Melissa sat with two retired and two still-working prayer warriors who willingly shared their understanding of spirituality against the backdrop of the world’s religions and definitions of spirituality. Their years of interceding for communities and residents, serving in the world, and navigating their personal lives brought forth divinely inspired insight.

Some people experience thoughts of disappointment when people describe Christians or churchgoers as religious. Melissa often wondered where is the acknowledgement that “Christians are spiritual.”  That is why Melissa sought others’ insights with a simple question: “What does spirituality mean to you when people refer to Christians as religious?”

“Spirituality is about relationship,” one woman said. It is the way we demonstrate our relationship with Christ by obeying the Spirit’s leading. Melissa was reminded of her own agreement because spirituality is a tangible expression of our relationship with Christ.

But how can someone discern or notice our Christian spirituality?

A Visible Spirituality

In other words, what practices are in place privately that can be seen publicly? What evidence is there of this spiritual relationship? Indeed, one could ask, “How do you demonstrate your spirituality?”

This is not to dismiss anyone’s personal practices in their spiritual relationship with the Divine. The point of this article is to delineate the difference between religion and spirituality and to show how we tap into our spirituality to find peace and, at least, treat others with dignity and respect.

               A personal, visible spirituality is experienced in worship, reading Scripture, jogging, or walking in nature. How someone experiences their relationship with Christ is personal, sacred, and time well spent. There is no right or wrong way.

               Public evidence of this spirituality may be seen in our daily responses, conduct, and/or interactions with others. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, says Luke 6:45. Therefore, it is an easy leap to discern if Christ is in someone’s heart and the Holy Spirit is leading actions.

Other descriptions

There are many descriptions of spirituality. Men, women, mystics, nuns, pastors, theologians, and many more have offered up their understanding of this word. The meaning of this word in this article comes from the everyday lived experiences of a few believers who know what they know. God speaks to our spirit, which produces the fruit from our spirit.

This is our simple, lived experience of spirituality.

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful for the relationship I have with you. Your ever-abiding love speaks to me in so many ways. You are an excellent listener, a wise guide, and a comfort to my soul. Thank you!