Here’s What I Know~
God uses all kinds.
God uses all sorts of people, places, and things to get His message out. To name a few: books, publications, interactions, recordings, movies, services, ministers, missionaries, music, resources, circumstances, and denominations. No person or organization has the corner on the market. I believe this to be true across the board. This awareness comes as an interesting realization once you stop thinking in terms of limitations and begin seeing in terms of opportunities.
I challenged myself to write out a list of specific spiritual books that have impacted my understanding in some remarkable, lasting way. The books are quite different from one another but each has left an evergreen imprint. Their authors have helped me consider deep, and often difficult or uncomfortable, concepts and all have contributed depth and richness in my conscious awareness. These books have expanded my faith and caused me to grapple with their content and meaning.
Like many from a strong fundamental, denominational heritage, I wasn’t always so open. I feared exposure to expanded ideas about belief and spiritual duty. I didn’t realize one can read outside the margins of your own doctrinal beliefs and gain additional understanding. Everything changed once I let go of the reigns and let God take charge. I had asked God to teach me whatever He wanted me to learn. He has kept His side of the bargain. I have to say, I like it much better this way. Life has an element of surprise to it now. Life is never boring when God has your attention.
On some future date I plan to share with you a list of these books for your own perusal and enjoyment. You will be invited to pick, diss, or ignore them as you see fit. Or you can read what strikes your fancy as jumping off points for spiritual development. I know some readers will take issue with one or more of these authors or books because of their diversity (and that’s okay and to be expected). Yet, this is my journey. You don’t have to like or read any of them, but actually, I don’t think that will be the case. My spiritual walk is all the richer for the reading of historic and contemporary Orthodox, Anglican, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal writers, with a couple of Christian mystics thrown in the mix. Who would have thunk it?
A word of caution is in order. Spiritual discernment is critical to this process and one must be grounded in God’s word. Otherwise, one might stray from the truth and become confused. When God checks, I stop. It’s a knowing, and I’m sensitive to it. I do not expect to agree with everything in a book, in fact, I don’t think I ever do. But I do find nuggets of truth in most every book excepting the ones that have little life to them. I sense their writers aren’t writing from the heart.
My list currently stands at 32 books by 32 authors. Thus far. Truthfully, I am amazed how God opened the dialogue after I determined to let go of my limited thinking and He had my full attention. The process wasn’t a walk in the park, however. Usually it came about as the result of pain. In my case, almost always a precipitating crisis spawned a new direction, which resulted in a greater, expansive, foundational awareness of spiritual truth. But that is another story. God is not in a box, no matter how much we want to put Him there. Aren’t you glad?
We learn and grow as we seek God with our hearts, minds, and souls. We absorb whatever He gives us. The path of ‘living’ spiritual life is, at best, unusual, unpredictable, and meandering; but it is such a beautiful one. Even though I struggle at times, I embrace the spiritual path. God keeps me at the place of ‘further still.’ I’m glad to say there is no end in sight.
Although your path is not my path, there are similarities between us. You approach your Christian beliefs from a viewpoint unique to you, and that’s a given; but there should and will be some concrete similarities in our beliefs. That is, as long as we both are serious in our devotion to God. The Christ life is lived out. Redemptive life is something we experience, have experienced, and will continually experience through the mind of Jesus Christ, the will of Father God, and the indwelling and enabling of the Holy Spirit.
The biblical narrative has a predominate message that flows from its beginning to end. Like in any well-crafted story, the pivotal point is the most important, exhilarating, and gratifying. In this case, it is the finished work of Christ from which He lives and breathes in our beings. He is alive.
CHALLENGE
Write out a list of the most influential books/authors you’ve read. See what you come up with. Why did they leave a lasting impression?
Care to share one or two of them? Be my guest (I double dog dare you). Others would like to know too, not just me.
