The Way Up

Everyone wants to feel good. But there is a real problem with making that our life’s goal. How we feel is not, or should not be, the bottom line. Feelings make great companions but lousy leaders. If you are led by your feelings you’ll end up somewhere you don’t want to be.

Sometimes as Christians we get wanting to feel spiritual and we pursue that. We make it our aim. And we judge how well we think we’re doing by it. But here is a big problem - the more spiritual you get the less spiritual you’ll feel. The more humble you get, the less humble you’ll feel. The closer you get to God, the larger your own inadequacies appear. The more mature you get as a believer, the more you realize how incredibly far away from God’s holy and perfect will you really are.

Of course, there is a great paradox in all of this. Jesus said that the way up is the way down. He who humbles himself will be exalted. If you want to be great, become a servant of all.

So, if you really, really want to feel spiritual, become a total hypocrite. I think that hypocrites are the only ones who really feel spiritual. Or here is a better idea - forget about trying to feel spiritual and choose faith. Put your focus where it needs to be, on Christ, and rest in the assurance that His grace is sufficient regardless of how you might feel at any particular time.