“I wonder how many of us suffer from some sort of spiritual somnambulism. Our eyes are open, but the vacant look reveals an empty soul. At best we’re half awake. And just like the physical condition, we’re unaware of our spiritual condition until someone or something wakes us up.”- Mark Batterson
“Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.”- 1 Peter 1:18 (MSG)
As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 4 of Primal, he reminds us that the Holy Spirit compensates for our sensory limits. He helps us to see the invisible as well as hear the inaudible. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit gives depth to our perception. He opens our eyes to perceive the ordinary miracles around us. And that includes the ordinary miracles that are us. It’s like, Mark illustrates, the Holy Spirit removes spiritual cataracts to reveal a reality that was always there.
Because, in general, we see what we want to see and don’t see what we don’t want to see. In other words, we see what we’re looking for. Thus, the emotions we experience reflect internal, rather than external, reality. So if your soul is full of wonder, you see with your soul. Everything reflects the glory of God. It’s the opposite of living with your eyes wide shut.
However, Pastor Batterson observes, at some point in life most of us get quite tangled up in our own consciousness. Consequently, we find it hard to experience the joy of simply being ourselves.
Yet, there comes a time when we become God conscious. Like Jacob, we have a Bethel experience. At Bethel, Jacob woke up physically, but also spiritually. Through such an epiphany, we come to realize God was there all along. Mark explains:
“God consciousness is the most primal form of consciousness. And the longer we journey, the more aware of His presence we become, until we see Him everywhere all the time. Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with circumstances. It has everything to do with consciousness. A relationship with Christ doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it does change the way we see ourselves, see others, and see God.”
Today’s question: When have you suffered from spiritual somnambulism? Please share.
Coming Monday: the Easter Short Meditation, “And they believe in the Christ”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Scripture in a single word – kaleidoscopic”
