Quote on Otherness

I'm reading a book right now about character. Yesterday i came across a line that said something CLOSE to the following... sorry i don't have the book on hand.

When we make the salvation of our own souls into our life's pursuit, aren't we just spiritualizing an existence that is essentially self-seeking?

I've written about this concept before, but this said it to me in a new way. Being self-seeking is always wrong (because it is NOT loving) but we often think that if we are self-seeking in "spiritual ways" that it's okay. I'm not sure that it is.

It seems to me that the most biblical form of spirituality has loving God and loving people as it's goal... NOT the love of self, the preservation of self, or even the gain of eternity for self!

I'm not saying it's wrong to be wise enough to know that we need to be saved by God, but if that's our life's goal then it looks like maybe we're on the wrong journey, at least not the one Jesus described in the Gospels.

This one could be touchy, but what do you think?

the narrow path

My friend bob blogged recently to answer the indictment that Christian people are simply looking for a "crutch" from their faith. Read it here.

I think his entry says it well. The more I read the gospels, the more i see that Jesus is not offering some sweet, consoling religion. He promises hardship and suffering for those who follow him. He promises that we will encounter the same kinds of obstacles that he did because we follow him. He tells us not be surprised if there are literal and figurative "crosses" in our own futures. He talks about having to break ranks with family and turn away from loved ones for the sake of following him.

Is there consolation in that? Actually there is, in an ultimate sense, that by clinging to him we will find something deeper and more lasting (though also harder) than anything this world can give. But it's not the mind-numbing "opiate" that some have talked about... those people have probably never read the words of Jesus.

So i put the question to all of you whether you are a Christ-follower or not, is your picture of this pilgrimage reflective of the actual words of Christ? To find out go ahead and read the book of Mark or Luke, see if it jives with the life you're living.