What I know and what I understand are two distinct things.
The parchment of degrees hanging on my wall might impress some, but those credentials alone don't qualify me to discuss the elusive essence of spirituality. Knowledge is abundant, yet wisdom is a rare jewel. Wisdom is poetry—the language of experience. My poetry is a tapestry of what I've witnessed and felt and what I've come to comprehend, even in the arena of my own ignorance.
In the theological sphere where I've spent a quarter of a century, my views are often sought after. I've fielded questions on campuses, at conferences, and in person, from a social media audience of around 30,000 and hosted the event series, Theology: OnCall. One inquiry continually arises: How do you "live for God" or find a purposeful existence within the frame of faith? Ah, the age-old quest for spiritual authenticity. So, here are my thoughts. Yes, thoughts, plural.
The Interlude Between Knowledge and Wisdom
Knowledge is not wisdom; it's the raw material from which wisdom is crafted. It's an individual journey, each of us facing unique terrains, triumphs, and tribulations. Wisdom blossoms from the soil of this individuality, nourished by life's experiences. But while this journey is individual, it's not solitary. Wisdom grows in the rich field of community—not a community formed out of guilt, shame, fear, or regret, but one founded on freedom, joy, fulfillment, and hope.
The Bible: A Tapestry of Divine Poetry
Spirituality has many claimed sources, but in my understanding, the most authentic springs from the scriptures of the Judeo-Christian tradition. Yet, it is crucial to differentiate between the Bible's narratives and its directives. The former are situational; they are stories framed within their historical contexts. The latter are principles, urging us toward a life of subdued focus and intimacy with God—a far cry from the erroneous belief that spirituality demands extreme, 'sold-out' devotion.
Authentic Living as a Shared Spiritual Text
Our lives are like individual verses in a grand spiritual poem, echoing the essence of divine virtues like compassion, love, and mutual respect. The Bible instructs us to live 'coram Deo'—in the face of God—enjoying freedom and joy because of God's unwavering love for us. This authentic life is the lived experience of spirituality, individual yet interconnected, each of us a stanza in a shared spiritual text. God is most glorified in such lives, as these lives stand as living proof of divine promises fulfilled.
Leaving Versus Living a Legacy
The life well-lived is the legacy. Forget about leaving something for people to remember; live in such a way that your life becomes a guiding light, a source of inspiration that helps others navigate their own spiritual journeys. It's not about what you leave behind, but how you live today that becomes your enduring legacy. The lives we touch will continue to live our legacy in the lives of others. This is one of the truest gifts of being spiritual.
In conclusion, the wisdom of living a God-centered life comes not from intellectual grasp but from a balanced spirituality—a blend of individual experience and collective responsibility. This is a journey marked by freedom, joy, fulfillment, and hope. It is a life not merely observed but felt, recorded, and lived. And in living this life, we each become a unique yet interconnected stanza in the eternal poem of divine love and grace.
I write about life and living it well. I want to thank a lot of you for your support this year and for being an audience to my infancy. I cannot name everyone, but I will say , you have encouraged me, simply connected me to my own thoughts, and provided simplicity in our engagement. The awe that you have expressed as I’ve poured oceans of silliness into the air has been a fire. And with all fires, what is imperishable remains. So thank you. I look forward to more…
I am also so very thankful for Write of Passage and the team that comprises her. The community that is just peering from the blankets of the cradle, and the movement that is learning to crawl will one day stand tall, be heard, and sprint toward making the world different. This is bigger than Gutenberg. I believe this is where the printing press meets the interconnected consciousness of humanity.
Yes. It’s that big for me.
I, too, have an arena of ignorance where titanic battles take place and half off chicken wings every other Thursday night.
James, your writing has captivated me and pierced my heart.
"Wisdom is poetry—the language of experience." -- Beautifully spoken, my friend.
Thank you for this, for sharing your wisdom, and for opening your heart for the world to see.
I am grateful to be side-by-side with you on this journey. Nothing but smiles.