Partial Consideration of Reality and a Right Spirit

Is He real, to you?

That's been so very...unsettling, this past week.

Is His presence abiding in such a way that you know He's right there, with you?

Or is it something hoped for, believed because of Scripture, alone?
Because He said it's true.

But is it real, to you? Is He real, to you?

Been reading through the major prophets, again. Not in their entirety, but piecemeal. Just...taking in glimpses.

And seeing so much of even the church described therein. Always, with lips that give praise, that speak highly of Him, the proclaim Him as God, as Lord alone...while hearts are consumed with jobs, family, hopes for success.

Which, I know I'm in somewhat a unique position on that front, perhaps. I'd been estranged in varying ways from pretty much my entire family. And have no "family of my own." And have increasingly, over the years, come to experience corporate professionalism as entirely deadening and hopeless. To a point of finally finding hope in Christ. In Him, only.

So, it's His people now who've become a great concern.

...I don't remember who said it, but one of the preachers I listen to said something to the effect of, "we major on minors."

And it's entirely true.

We focus on maintaining doctrine to the exclusion of realizing brotherly love.
We focus on sound theology to the exclusion of seeking to know Christ in spirit and truth.
We focus on maintaining a prayer-life to the exclusion of actuating prayer.
We focus on devoting time to studying Scripture without ever overtly realizing increased nearness to the One by whom it was composited.

We speak highly of Him, but keep Him always at arm's length. As though we're afraid to draw too near to Him.

Like with the professor--one of my former mentors--who told me, last June, not to go "all out" for Christ. Because it's good enough just to be a "normal Christian," just go to church on Sundays and not worry about all the rest. Otherwise, I'd be a target. I'd be attacked on all sides. I'd lose everything.

That probably entirely does constitute the views most folks have of the Lord:

Don't get too close to Him--you'll lose everything!

Reality Check

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

As delusion goes, try this one on for size (in other words, see if you're already "wearing it"):

Serving God, seeking Him, praising the Lord, knowing Christ Jesus as savior and master...

...and yet experiencing a disconnect, in such a way that it shocks you to hear of people acting in such ways as this:

WASHINGTON – A legal brief recently submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court warns that forcing states to recognize same-sex “marriage” could bring God’s judgment upon the nation.

As previously reported, in January, in light of contrasting appeals court decisions, the nine justices agreed to take up a case that would determine whether or not the U.S.Constitution provides states the right to ban same-sex nuptials. The case is set to for oral argument this month with a decision in June.

“This case before this Court is this nation’s tower of Babel. At issue is whether we as a people are going to continue to conform the institution of marriage to the one created and established by God, or instead will reform the most sacred of human institutions into something else chosen by an elite set of jurists,” reads the amicus brief, filed by the U.S. Justice Foundation of Ramona, Calif. and the law offices of William Olsen of Vienna, Va.

...acting as though, you know...God is real and the Bible is legitimately His word.