Face Time

So we need a new criteria for evaluating spiritual vitality.

How often we read our Bible, say some prayers, or attend church simply will not do. An alternative criteria is needed. And this alternative criteria will consider both the depth and frequency of things like love for God, love for others, and attentiveness to the Spirit at work within and around us. (Please read my previous post if you are not tracking).

Now once we start using this alternative criteria to assess the depth and vitality of our spirituality, things like reading the Bible, praying, and church attendance don't decrease in importance. Rather, they increase in importance to the degree that they serve as a catalyst for our spiritual growth (given our new criteria). Now, notice that I said a "catalyst." These things should never be approached as an end in and of themselves. Reading the Bible is not the goal. Praying is not the goal. Going to church is not the goal. Such activities are only as effective as they help me love more and participate in the mission of God. So the idea here is that reading the Bible can increase my love for God and others and that praying can help me pay attention to the active presence of the Spirit on a moment-by-moment basis. And now these "spiritual disciplines" have been put in another and more appropriate framework that guards against religious legalism.

My son is about two months old.

And I would say that his development has been typical of most newborns. A good day for him consists of several solid feeds, a few long naps, and a solid bowel movement. A few weeks ago we noticed that he started to smile and make noises when we would make silly faces at him. This was a major milestone considering that up until that point he would only smile when he had to fart! So these social smiles proved to be a big deal. And now I have noticed that the highlight of my day is getting some "face time" with my little one. This is a time when he is totally alert and I have his undivided attention. We spend time literally face-to-face and communicate with one another. I usually make silly faces and ridiculous noises and he smiles and does the same. I enjoy his presence and he enjoys mine. It is truly priceless and I love every minute of it.

This morning it struck me during some face time with my son that God delights in the face time we share together. God enjoys the face time he gets with me! He delights in it. I delight in it. And It's all about connection. It's all about relationship. It's all about love. It's about intimacy and joy--an intimacy and joy we share together as we are present to one another. That's what face time with God is about! But what it's NOT about is religious obligation or duty! I don't feel obligated to have face time with my son. I don't have face time with him out of duty. I have time with him because I love him. Should it be any different with God?

I am convinced that we distort the purpose of spiritual practices such as reading the Bible and prayer when we make it about something other than face time with God. Has your face time with God become something you feel obligated to? And if it has, please return to the joy and simplicity of delighting in God as he delights in you. For time set aside for such mutual delight will surely increase your spiritual vitality given our new criteria for evaluating spiritual progress.