Greetings from the "Readiness for Entering Vocational Ministry (REVM)" Reunion retreat in Minneapolis, MN! Our retreat has focused on the three life conditions - being blessed (chosen), broken and given - as our vocational ministry curriculum. This has been an amazing journey. Below is a devotion written as part of my own processing. I hope you find some thought-provoking nugget for your own reflection. Blessings, ~Mel
"Spare the rod, spoil the child." How many times did I hear that growing up? Not from my family, certainly, but from some obscure place in the culture of my youth determined to manage my behavior long before I transgressed. This phrase frightened me and so I strived always for goodness, that intangible, sometimes unattainable goal which loomed so expectantly over my childhood.
As part of our reflections together, my REVM retreat companions and I have considered the concept of a "holistic spiritual life" - a holy, integrated, living spiritual experience of myself and others. Yet, one phrase struck me to the core. Rev. Dr. Mona West (Austin, TX) says of the holistic spiritual life that "Wholeness is the goal, not goodness." Even as I celebrate this to be a truth for believers/followers of Christ, I also reflect on the weight which has been placed on "good"-ness in my life.
As a church, in general, we can spend an inordinate amount of time trying to be "good," do "good" and influence "good" on others. Over the course of our lives, the opportunities to be/do "good" abound. Yet, it seems the goal of "good"-ness shifts, sways and sometimes outright diverts itself from our grasp, no matter how much we will ourselves "good." Ultimately, we come to the realization that if our focus for a whole, Christian life centers on being or doing only "good" things, we human beings are destined to fail.
Paul, in his letter to the Romans, spoke of "good"-ness as a path to God. In his writing, he addressed the daily goal of strictly adhering to the letter of the law, the Torah, the "way of life" for believers in the One God.
Paul understood that "Good" is defined, most often, FOR us rather than BY us. Such is the letter of the law, devoid of self-review and locked in the interpretations of external legislators and judges. But Paul insisted that we followers of Christ adhere to the intent of the law, understood as a constant attention and respect for our relationships to self, neighbor and God. After all, if we do these things, are we not destined for goodness?
The keys to a holistic spiritual life thrive in Paul's teaching:
Attentiveness
Relationship
Love/Respect
If we do our best to maintain these, our "good"-ness tends to follow suit. Paul set the stage for this kind of living, apart from the expectations of cultural or religious dogma. Rev. Dr. West repeats the formula.
The goal is not to be "good" - to follow the outward structures and rules imposed on us. Rather, the goal is to be whole – attentive, in relationship and loving/respecting our selves, our neighbors and God.
Perhaps we can finally change the old adage, "Spare your rod and teach the child, for goodness is second to wholeness." I hope each and every one of us can learn to strive for wholeness and put the expectation of "good"-ness to rest.
Blessings,
-Mel
