Every now and then for whatever reason I have the bizarre thought, what if I lived on a deserted island, or lived where there was 
no-one and nothing, what would my experience of God be like?
Can any of us conceive of a world where there were no churches, Christian music, CD’s or DVD’s, iPod uploads, podcast downloads, printed Bibles, audio Bibles, Christian books, resources, Christian television, radio or anything else that informs our experience of God?
So, what if it were all gone, no preachers or teachers to help us along the journey, what would shape our spiritual life? I wonder if we have become so dependant upon others and ‘things’ that there is a danger of spiritual shallowness. In other words, we depend upon external ‘inflow’ rather than a deep engagement of the Spirit. Take away all the props and what’s left.
While attending the International College for Officers some years ago, I sat on the edge of a discussion where one of our colleagues was boasting that he had a personal library of more than 3000 books. In turning to an African Officer he said, “Edith, how many books you got?” Her reply ended the conversation. “I have three books, my Bible, songbook and doctrine book, what more do I need!”
I want to suggest we think about abandoning many of the props for a time and live totally dependant upon the Spirit of God within us. Just for a time, stop reading the thoughts of others, and read only the word of God. Become totally immersed in the presence of God to the exclusion of those things upon which we become dependant. For example, take a verse of Scripture and think it through, pray it through and live it out.
How on earth did the Apostles ever manage to take the gospel to all the world without the Christian scaffolding available to us today?
“He has shown you, O man what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
I really identified with your post today. I have found that I can, at times, become so confused from reading other people’s thoughts as to what is the right thing to do, the right way to worship, the right way to have a quiet time that I worry that I’m not doing it ‘right’, and because of that, I keep trying harder and harder, trying to be the person He made me to be. And yet I know that what I do does not earn my way into Heaven, I know this!
But on Sunday night at church during prayer and worship, I felt God say to me, “I know your heart”. What an amazing revelation to me! He knows my heart! He knows that in my heart I’m trying my best and so I just need to stop trying to do ‘it’ everyone else’s way, and just do ‘it’ His way. Develop the relationship between us more deeply and His truth and His way will be revealed.
While I love to read books that teach and guide me – and I will continue to read them to grow myself, I have learned that they are guides only – Jesus’s way is the only way.
As I read your post I felt that I was reading a description of life just as it was for Christians in the early church – and as it still is, to some extent, in many parts of the world…little or no technology, few personal Bibles or other resources. Thank you for reminding us that no amount of spiritual ‘accessories’, helpful though they can be can take the place of a deep personal relationship with God.
Hi Jayne, thanks for your comment in regard to the post. You are absolutely right. I get tired of the “scaffolding” that include people telling me what I should be, what I should think, how I show act, it is all so exhausting. Every now and then I kind of go on a spiritual diet and leave all those other things behind me, it is so refreshing and renewing. I think God has spoken clearly to you and I bless Him for it.
A lovely reflection, it must have been great for the early followers of Jesus to be able to read straight from the Aramaic and traditional Greek as a first language, and the wonderful Library of Alexandria , a city which held the highest population of educated Jews outside of Israel.
A highly educated colleague the other day encouraged me to read a book called “When Jesus became God” my answer: I know whom I have believed and am persuaded…………” I do find these modern interpretive books a bore, an attempt at Spiritual elitism whilst sinners perish. “Screwtape” said something about such distraction, “an apricot” or some such.
If Jesus could by his shed blood save David then I”m content. I have no other questions nor need some bilateral understanding, It really is a treat to listen to my friends who are of the Islamic persuasion or Buddhist,” they have no other argument.they have no other plea… ” really refreshing at times, why the heck would a member of a movment require 3000 books? Sounds like reinforcement rather than structural scaffolding. belief rather than knowledge.I recall this theme when I studied Philosophy at Melu, “I believe subject too, but I know because I know based on experience, Well I know.
Thanks Ray for this thoughtful blog topic, and David B, Jayne and Val for your insightful responses. I don’t have anything new to add, but enjoyed resonating with stuff you have all shared !
(Two days later)
It just occurred to me, that there is no subject or topic title in this blog post of yours Ray. Was that intentional? Either way it brilliantly highlights how our human tendency to put labels and categorized headings on everything, including our knowledge and experience of God, may sometimes limit the shape and depth of the relationship He offers us. Christian thought and practice is expressed within highly structured topics, headings, terminology, jargon, etc. ….. maybe it can’t be any other way?