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Woe to those who prefer the spirit of control over the spirit of liberty: will we expend the energy to pursue interior holiness? (I'd rather not write this one.) For years I've been thinking about a disturbing and distinct division among followers of Jesus. On the one hand I see many rediscovering the spirituality of the arts, befriending the unclear, finding beauty in the ambiguous, and celebrating difference. And on the other hand I see people craving more details, more definition, "how to" downloads...almost as though they were screaming, "God, just tell me what to do and I'll do it! Give me the 10 points and I'll follow to the letter. I don't have to understand, I just need to know what you want from me."
 At first glance we might assume that only the second group is vulnerable to spiritualizing control. Certainly lists can be abused to oppress the artist, silence the prophet, and multiply the Pharisees. Yet as an artist at heart, I'd like to speak to the first group: we too are vulnerable to the spirit of control because she sometimes masquerades as a self-gratifying version of freedom. We celebrate our freedom. Our souls dance in the spirit of liberty. We even take some pride in not being religious. But we must be cautious: liberty can easily become lawlessness. How can we tell the difference? By asking a penetrating question about what we just did in the name of freedom: What did this choice amplify in me?
Which was greater in the moment, late that night, the next day?
Such is the way of Spirit-led interior holiness. |
Comments
Such an important post, Alicia. Weighty wisdom for those with ears to hear. I'm listening. Thank you, friend. ~Jodi
Alicia: I found your descriptions of these two distinct groups very interesting. You write:
"On the one hand I see many rediscovering the spirituality of the arts, befriending the unclear, finding beauty in the ambiguous, and celebrating difference."
And on the other hand I see people craving more details, more definition, "how to" downloads...almost as though they were screaming, "God, just tell me what to do and I'll do it! Give me the 10 points and I'll follow to the letter. I don't have to understand, I just need to know what you want from me."
Reading between the lines, I could assume that you are drawing a distinction between progressive and conservative Christians however, without that popular context, I do not see the characteristics you describe above to be inherently distinct. Are you suggesting that "discovering the spirituality of the arts, befriending the unclear, etc." is at odds with complete submission, obedience and following on faith rather than leaning on our own understanding?"
Joan: thanks for taking the time to comment.
In all honesty, the labels/groups you mentioned never entered my thoughts as I penned the blog. Nor was the blog's purpose to suggest that the artistic soul is "at odds with complete submission..."
I am, however, suggesting that the human soul is at odds with complete submission and that control takes on many disguises. In other words, all of us--with all our accompanying strengths and shadows--are vulnerable to spiritualizing choices (whether in the name of freedom or holiness or liberty or righteousness or expression or caution or curiosity...) that amplify self instead of God.
Thanks again for your thoughts.