There we were
at camp. It was the day after a super intense session during which I
teared and gooed like I was melting. It would not have been a pretty
sight- except I think most of my potential viewers were in similar
conditions. I was mostly crying because of a tangle of thoughts in my
head. The only things I can remember from that tangle include wondering
why I wasnt broken or burning with emotion and thinking there was just so
much muchness, bigness, things I cant understand.
But the thing is… as strange as this may sound- there wasnt a
sea of emotions in my heart. (maybe that is part of why I cried) in
fact- it was only a large puddle. That is why in the quiet time the next
day I continued to wonder why hadnt I EXPERIENCED more. I mean, I
do have feelings, why hadnt I been rocked?
Was there
something wrong with me? Was I doing something wrong? I wrote in my
journal
How do I
seek you? I wondered why I was
not connecting, was it – Doubt or
some
Character flaw
or unknown sin?
That was keeping me separate?
In
a couple of hours my question was addressed during
the main session- almost verbatim.
The
topic if the session was Discovering
your Spiritual Instinct. The speaker called it: fallen condition
focus; if you are constantly trying to connect with God in a way you
aren’t wired- you start asking: is there something wrong with me? do
I have a character flaw or
spiritual defect…?
The session then
outlined Some of the
instinctive ways
people connect best with God.
Aesthetic
instinct:
People
with this instinct are fired by Majesty. They
tend to love/ be
attracted to:
1.
Worship in beauty and order
2.
Tradition,
art, architecture. Sound,
smell, ambiance
3. Sense of history and immensity, dignity, solemnity
4. Worship in ageless church
5. Liturgy, creeds, classical music, hymns
ex:
David (Psalms), Solomon (temples), JR Toking,
CS Lewis (authors that connect with aesthetic
people)
Danger:
Past orientation can rob present experience.
The
Experiential (worship) Instinct:
The
agenda is Joy
(encounter). People with this
instinct often:
1.
Seek feeling
Gods presence
2.
Focus on: God
is our contemporary in the here and now
3.
Always
ready to worship, love
experiences
ex:
David, Peter (wanted to be involved in the process), Renewal
movements
Danger:
Can
become emotional/experience driven renewal Junkies
The Activist
Instinct: the agenda is Achievement
1. In serving God
they experience God
2. Evangelism,
Social Justice, transforming change
3. Stories of
service and sacrifice
ex: Moses, Nehemiah
(rebuild walls), Paul (mission), Mother Theresa, YWAM, AIM
Danger: Martha
spirit
The Contemplative
Instinct: the agenda is Listening
1. Focus on
interior
2. Prayer as
listening as opposed to talking
3. Often feel out
of step with the experiential
ex: John the
Baptist, A.W. Tozer, Monasticism, Spiritual Formation Movement
Danger: often do not
have enough community accountability.
The Student
Instinct: the agenda is Truth
1. Knowing God =
studying the Word
2. Proper doctrine
is a priority
3. Books,
discussion, exposure of false teaching
ex: Paul (ivy league
rabbi school), Martin Luther, John Calvin, Cru, Navs
Danger: Letter of
the law mentality
The Relational
Instinct: the agenda is Love
1. together
feel and meet God
2. Join groups for
sharing and prayer
3. High touch
4. Solitude feels
like solitary confinement
eg: Barnabas, John,
Cell Church and Small Group movement
Danger: Can seek to
get from community what should seek get from God.
The Naturalist
Instinct: the agenda is Creation
1. Find God outside
of buildings
2. Rivers, tees,
oceans- God is there
3. Psalm 8
orientation: everything in nature points to God
ex: David, St.
Francis of Assisi, The green evangelicals
Danger: Can become a
worship of creation rather than Creator
I think I have a
strong dose of the Naturalist instinct, mixed with some Aesthetic,
Student and the barest hint of Contemplative (I have a hard time
listening instead of talking). You can (and maybe should) cultivate
your instinct for other types of worship, but it is important to know
that you are not broken if you do not feel connected or lifted
up in a specific setting.
I mean, come on
Liz! why would a God who clearly loves variety only want to be
worshiped in one way? Or only engineer his creations to connect to
him in one way?
So… I’m
curious… what are some of the ways you connect?
P.S. The
highlighting is to visually connect a pattern I will explain more in
the next post.
