Messy Spirituality

1. Messy Spirituality: Embracing Imperfection in Faith

Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God's being present in the mess of our unfixedness.

Redefining spirituality. Traditional views of spirituality often emphasize perfection, consistency, and flawlessness. However, true spirituality embraces the messy reality of human existence. It acknowledges that our lives are often chaotic, inconsistent, and filled with mistakes.

God in the midst of mess. The essence of messy spirituality is the recognition that God meets us in our imperfections. Rather than expecting us to have it all together, God enters into our brokenness and works through our flaws. This perspective shifts the focus from achieving spiritual perfection to experiencing God's presence in our everyday struggles.

Messy spirituality is:

• Accepting our flaws and limitations
• Recognizing God's work in our imperfections
• Embracing the journey rather than the destination
• Finding authenticity in our struggles

2. Resisting the Resisters: Overcoming Spiritual Saboteurs

Religious institutions do not like surprises and especially dislike a spirituality which threatens the status quo.

Identifying spiritual saboteurs. Many forces within religious institutions and society at large resist authentic, messy spirituality. These "resisters" often prioritize conformity, silence dissent, and discourage genuine expressions of faith that challenge established norms.

Overcoming opposition. To cultivate messy spirituality, one must learn to resist these resisters. This involves:

Strategies for resisting spiritual saboteurs:

• Embracing your unique spiritual journey
• Speaking truth, even when it's uncomfortable
• Challenging rigid religious expectations
• Finding community that supports authentic faith

Ultimately, resisting the resisters means staying true to your personal experience of God, even when it doesn't fit neatly into prescribed religious boxes.

3. The Power of Rejection: Finding Grace in Brokenness

Jesus is attracted to losers. Jesus' losers are great candidates for spirituality.

Reframing rejection. Society often views rejection as failure, but in the spiritual realm, rejection can be a powerful catalyst for growth. Jesus consistently sought out those who were rejected by society – the outcasts, sinners, and "losers."

Grace in brokenness. When we experience rejection or failure, we become more open to receiving God's grace. Our brokenness creates space for divine intervention and transformation.

How rejection leads to spiritual growth:

• Humility: Recognizing our need for God
• Authenticity: Embracing our true selves
• Compassion: Developing empathy for others
• Dependence: Leaning on God's strength

By embracing our moments of rejection and failure, we position ourselves to experience God's transformative love more deeply.

4. Odd Discipleship: Celebrating Uniqueness in Faith

Oddness is a gift from God and sits dormant until God's Spirit gives it life and shape.

Embracing spiritual uniqueness. True discipleship often looks strange or unconventional to the world. Rather than conforming to societal or religious expectations, followers of Christ are called to embrace their God-given uniqueness.

The power of spiritual oddness. When we allow our peculiarities and quirks to be shaped by God's Spirit, we become powerful witnesses to His creative work. Odd discipleship challenges the status quo and invites others to experience God in fresh ways.

Characteristics of odd discipleship:

• Authenticity over conformity
• Creativity in expressing faith
• Willingness to stand out
• Embracing personal weaknesses and strengths

By celebrating our spiritual oddness, we create space for others to discover their own unique path to God.

5. Unspiritual Growth: The Erratic Journey of Discipleship

Spiritual growth is not running faster, as in more meetings, more Bible studies, and more prayer meetings. Spiritual growth happens when we slow our activity down.

Redefining spiritual growth. Contrary to popular belief, spiritual growth is not a linear, predictable process. It often involves periods of stagnation, regression, and unexpected leaps forward. This erratic journey is a normal part of the discipleship process.

Embracing the unpredictable. Rather than striving for constant, measurable progress, we should embrace the ups and downs of spiritual growth. This involves:

Keys to navigating unspiritual growth:

• Patience with the process
• Recognizing growth in unexpected places
• Valuing quality over quantity in spiritual practices
• Embracing seasons of rest and reflection

By accepting the erratic nature of spiritual growth, we can find peace in the journey and trust God's work in our lives, even when it's not immediately visible.

6. Little Graces: The Impact of Small Acts of Faith

Tiny becomes huge when Jesus is involved.

The power of small actions. In a world that often celebrates big, dramatic gestures, God often works through small, seemingly insignificant acts of faith. These "little graces" can have a profound impact on both the giver and the recipient.

Cultivating a lifestyle of little graces. By focusing on small, consistent acts of faithfulness, we can create a ripple effect of God's love in the world. This approach to faith is accessible to everyone, regardless of their resources or abilities.

Examples of little graces:

• A kind word to a stranger
• A moment of silent prayer for a friend
• A small act of generosity
• A gesture of forgiveness

When we embrace the power of little graces, we participate in God's work of transformation in both subtle and profound ways.

7. God's Annoying Love: The Irresistible Nature of Grace

He loves us when we don't want him to love us. He loves us when we don't act like Christians. He loves us when our lives are a mess. His love is sticky, resistant to rejection, aggressive, and persistent.

The relentless nature of God's love. God's love is often described as unconditional, but it's more than that – it's persistent, even when we try to reject it. This "annoying" love pursues us relentlessly, refusing to give up on us despite our failures and resistance.

Embracing the scandal of grace. God's love often defies our human notions of fairness and justice. It's extravagant, seemingly unfair, and sometimes offensive to our sensibilities. Yet, it's precisely this scandalous nature that makes God's grace so powerful and transformative.

Characteristics of God's annoying love:

• Persistent: Never gives up
• Unconditional: Not based on our performance
• Extravagant: Beyond what we deserve
• Transformative: Changes us from the inside out

By surrendering to the relentless, annoying love of God, we open ourselves to experience the full power of His grace in our lives.

Last updated: August 18, 2024