I came across an interview on YouTube with Oprah Winfrey and a popular ‘spiritual teacher’ named Caroline Myss earlier in the week. Curiosity got the better of me, so I continued to listen and maintained a glimmer of hope for the content, but that quickly disappeared less than 5 minutes into the interview. The point at which I knew that the conversation was going to be a bunch of ‘enlightened’ mumbo-jumbo was when Ms. Myss described our spirit as “the part of you that is seeking meaning and purpose” or “the part of you that is drawn to hope”!
I couldn’t help but laugh, although Oprah seemed awed and so she continued to repeat the depth of ‘wisdom’ and ‘truth’ that was just unleashed. Of course, not wanting to be rash, I jumped across to Ms. Myss’ website to get a better understanding of what this ‘contemporary spiritual teaching’ is all about, and without fail, my initial mumbo-jumbo assessment was spot on. She, like many others, critiqued everything from the existence of God to the truth of the Bible. At that point, I couldn’t help but ponder, as I have done so many times before, about why it is easier for humans to create perspectives about ourselves and definitions for ourselves, and doubt the words of God.
It seems easy to use words such as ‘universe’, ‘intuition’, ‘spirituality’, and ‘hope’ as if they are extra-terrestrial transcendent achievements of the human experience. To many, these existential terms are preferred to what I consider simpler beliefs in the one true God, creator of all that exists, and the breath and spirit of all living things. I believe that is so because the former placates the uneasiness within every human who remains out of communion with God, and it permits people to live however they desire without honour and obedience to the Creator. It is not surprising to hear comments that ascribe wisdom, provision, and guidance to ‘the Universe’ or one’s success because of one’s deep ‘spirituality’.
Maybe it is simpler to believe in a universe that requires nothing: no obedience and no commitment, but gives good and blessings, rather than believe in God. Maybe it is because God has been incorrectly portrayed in some arenas (sometimes even the church) as harsh and oppressive. Or maybe it is the way that life has trained some of us to have a posture of entitlement without any corresponding obligation. Persons love easy; we gravitate to easy and curse anything that doesn’t fit into our cozy, obligation-free existence.
People are drawn into new worldly theories of ‘contemporary spirituality’ and ‘enlightenment’ that are packaged with profound sayings about our purpose and existence. Much like Caroline, many people prefer these theories because they believe that there is no truth or logic to the Bible. Ironically, she created an entire educational institute to share her ideals, which suggests that persons ought to believe her words in preference to those ‘discredited’ disciples of the Bible! Such a postulation invites persons to exchange the truth of God for the lie, and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
However, we who believe must know that:
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Cor 1:27).
And …
The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . (1 Cor 1:18).
Let’s say that science can never connect the dots about our faith, does it make the Bible any less true? Let’s say that God chose to give men His words long after Christ died (as insinuated by Ms. Myss), does it make those words less true? Let’s say, the disciples all sat together in a room and shared notes on what to write in the new testament, does it make it less true? Sounds foolish doesn’t it, but even so, can’t God who stretched out the earth and created the intricacies of every human, use the most incomprehensible situations for His purpose?
Can we truly begin to comprehend God’s ways and His strategies? God himself proclaimed:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” ... “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9.
People rely on their logic and experience as though those created characteristics are somehow superior to the Creator’s omniscience. The truth is that the bible speaks about the hardness of the human heart (Romans 2:5) and our ingrained stubbornness to the truth of Jesus. For this reason the Bible implores that we, “Trust in the Lord with all [our] heart and lean not on [our] own understanding; in all [our] ways submit to Him, and He will make [our] paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
I would prefer to be ‘brainwashed’ for Jesus any and every day than to live thinking that I know everything about the human experience and existence. I prefer to be wrong about God and eternity than to live a substandard, meaningless life without Him. I have been shown a better way, a more excellent way through Jesus who declares that He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). I’ve danced on both sides of the fence and I prefer it here.
So, while I hear them with their new theories and philosophies, it’s a “No" for me! 'No' to words such as ‘universe’, ‘essence’, and ‘spirituality’.
I believe in God, in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit, the triune God.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it [the gospel of Christ] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith". Romans 1:16-17
Everyone won’t believe, though it is God’s desire (2 Peter 3:9), and anyone who does believe it is because of the goodness of God (Romans 2:4)
The bible tells us to be prepared for the time when we would need to be pointed about our faith. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1Peter 3:15
I BELIEVE in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead: I believe in the Holy Ghost: I believe in the holy catholic Church [catholic means - all-embracing)]
The communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting.
~ The Apostle’s Creed ~
So what do you believe? Do you believe in things, people, or the universe?
Or do you choose to believe God and His truth?
Love Ya!
Krystal Baynes-Hoseinee
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‘My Favourite Scriptures: A Devotional For New Believers” contains reflections on fundamental principles about God’s love, His forgiveness, your character/nature in Christ, submission and obedience, His blessings, provision, purpose and protection. In this devotional I use deeply personal experiences to make the scriptures relevant to you. This book is a reflection of the grace that God showers on me, having used my lowest points and all my failures to increase my compassion so that I can spread the message of His love to the world.
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