After quite a long break, I’ve started reading my bible again. Notwithstanding my beliefs that it isn’t necessary to read it everyday, it has, so far, worked out that way in my case. I guess its largely because of the daily emailers I get from the church. The other reason for my starting to read is a conversation I had with my pastor on the weekend. Although, we’ve known each other for many years, and share very similar views on the most areas, he reminded me that I needed some input – that it wasn’t enough to rely on past studies and knowledge – and that in his opinion, it would at least serve to ‘sharpen’ my thinking in relation to the Christian life. Even though I’m inclined to argue that I do have some measure of input (after all I have continued to go to church ever since I became a Christian more than 10 years ago and have sat under the teaching of many a good preacher) I decided that I should heed his advice (since I do have a huge amount of respect for him – as my ‘spiritual parent’) and ‘give it a go’.

The verse in today’s devotion is Matthew 20:18 which reads:

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (KJV)

Although admittedly the context seems to refer to the gathering together to pray (the preceding verse talks about ‘asking’ God) I think this would certainly apply to other areas of life too. Its no stretch of the imagination (or language and context of the verse) to apply it to life generally. We know that God is always present, and so it should follow that irrespective of whether our activities ‘revolves’ specifically around ‘spiritual’ pursuits, He is in our ‘midst’.

I do personally think that there is a over-emphasis among Christians on ‘spiritual’ activities. Just look at the number of activities in churches today – bible studies, cell groups, mid-week services, youth events/outings/ministries, evangelism, prayer meetings, etc. It is very possible, and for a few of my friends it’s a reality, that people are in church or doing some church-related activity every single day of the week. And I’m not referring to those ‘full-time’ church workers here – normal folk (well, as normal as someone living like is can actually be – but you get the picture). For some of these people, it’s a passion – they genuinely enjoy the work their doing. But I suspect that for many others, they feel its and obligation. Something that they need to do.

Many churches don’t help in this regard as they continually preach from the pulpits that this is ‘your reasonable service’ to God.

But why is this a problem?

Well, for starters, as I’ve mentioned in a previous entry, we all have responsibilities. Responsibilities to our families (our spouses, children, girl friends and boy friends) and often times these get relegated to the background. After all, how can they be compared with God? He obviously must take precedence.

The problem is that this is a misconception. The bible is clear that we actually honour God through our interaction with the people around us – by fulfilling our responsibilities in the home and even in the office. Any addition is, well, additional. Often times, it’s the other way around, people get so caught up with their ‘Christian service’ that they fail to do these very basic things – they shrug off their responsibilities and those involved will suffer (not only from neglect, but also from the guilt associated with the desire for those basic needs to be met, which may lead to resentment and the vicious cycle continues).

But quite apart from the needs of those under their charge being brushed to the side, so too do the needs of the person immersing himself in Christian activities. The reason is the same – as a human being, he too needs those relationships and support. The problem that I’ve noticed is that without the social interactions and that includes things which are not necessarily of a ‘spiritual’ nature or with ‘people of the faith’, the Christian will suffer and be rendered ineffective. Why do I say this?

Well, let’s take a particular family member of mine as a case in point. All through the years, this person has, at all family dinners and get-togethers, avoided conversation with others in the family. This wasn’t necessarily because there were problems or disagreements or conflicts present. It was merely because its normal we’ve-not-seen-each-other-in-a-long-time kind of chatter. Updating each other on our lives, our pursuits, the week’s news, etc (I’m sure everyone has these kinds of conversations right?). However, in some peculiar sense of ‘spirituality’ this person would shun such interaction, perhaps dubbing it as ‘un-profitable’ (i.e. anything that is not a major theological discussion). The problem came a few years later when this person started to realize and experience difficulties interacting with and relating to people (from what I hear, its still a problem now). Of course, one may argue that this is an extreme example, but I suspect its more common than is acknowledged.

Bottom line: I guess there needs to be a realization that there are certain things in life which are equally important (if not more) than all the activities in church. Family and relationships are. Christians also need to be able and willing to interact with the world, if not how do they propose to fulfill God’s command of reaching out? In order to interact, they would have to be willing and able to meet people wherever they are (i.e. discuss the news, or any other subject that these individuals might be interested or familiar with). Of course it may not be a very comfortable thing to do, but doesn’t everything that is profitable or useful require us to step out of our ‘comfort zones’?