States of BLISS & Yearning// Dubious Beatitudes

For the next twelve days I'll be reading through a book called "States of BLISS & Yearning" by John Bell, who is the founder of the Iona Community in Scotland (they're so cool. Look them up!). It is a book about "the marks and means of authentic Christian spirituality" and I thought it would be a good next step. We've discussed how to recognize vocation and how to survive even the depths... now we'll figure out what it means to truly be a Christian and what kind of spirituality one may have in order to survive those depths. This series of blogging will be different than the last. I will sort of give my own thoughts related to the chapter, but also on tangents... so read the book on your own because this isn't necessarily a summary of each chapter. I have a lot more of my own thoughts floating around. Make sense? Let's dive in...

==

This first chapter is on "Dubious Beatitudes." Dubious can also mean doubtful and while Bell didn't say anything about this specifically, I think it's right for us to be an equal mix of doubtful and faithful. We have to remain faithful in all things just because that's what it means to be Christian. But as I have had explained to me before, Thomas was a disciple ahead of his time. He was asking legitimate questions about Jesus and questioning... if we're not questioning we're not opening ourselves up to the mystery of God and we're not allowing questions to ruminate in the deep depths of our souls. We can't ever know all the answers. On some level we have to accept the mystery and embrace the questions.

==

Moses, David and Paul all have two major things in common... they were spiritual giants and they didn't have it easy. Between Moses's speech impediment and his bringing the Israelites to the promised land he had struggles. David was victorious for God since adolescence but also had to cope with the grief of being a murderer and adulterer. He was God's chosen, anointed by Samuel. Paul, having been changed from Saul, the persecutor was theologically astute and managed to deal with disputes among local churches. He then ended up persecuted for his faith and work.

==

St Francis of Assisi, St. John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, and St. Teresa of Avila (among numerous others) would all agree... they were spiritual giants who didn't have it easy. "All the true saints of God never got what they wanted, did what they liked, or lived on cloud nine" (11). I find myself relating as I am going off on a year of volunteer work. I am giving up my comfortable lifestyle to live with and among the poor, the prostitutes, the sick, and the rebellious. I will probably find myself struggling to make sense of it all, but then again, it only makes sense. It only makes sense that I would give a year of my life after having 21 years of comfort. I will never stand with Moses, David or Paul on their level of devotedness to God, but it is certainly something to look towards.

==

"... Those who wish to know the deep joy and consolation of faith will be required to experience other less attractive depths" (15). And yes, L.A. will be full of less attractive depths but it is the sacrifice I must be willing to make in order to come to understand the fullness and meaning-fullness of faith in God. I want that. I want a more meaningful life and as I quoted Rev. Emily Joye McGaughy yesterday, "There's no getting out of the mess if you want a meaningful life." One cannot know joy without first knowing sorrow.

==

How do you relate to God through your spirituality?

What kind of less attractive depths will you experience?