-- 1 Corinthians 2:6
Spiritual gurus abound. They can be seen on television and heard on radio. Their writings adorn the shelves of Barnes and Noble, and their sayings are constantly memed on Facebook (I may have just invented a verb).
For the most part this is good and positive. But with all this access it is convenient for us to listen to the voices... and forget to listen to God's voice.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers about this. Ultimately, he says that our faith is not based on the wisdom of men and women - the voices out there. These voices can encourage and teach. They can inform and inspire. But these voices cannot - and must not - become substitute to the voice of God.
Frankly, it is very easy to become spiritually sedentary. Couch-potato Christianity sits idly waiting on crumbs of wisdom to be podcast, memed, etc. (And yes, I am overstating to make a point). Instead, you and I must be about the disciplines of spending personal time in prayer, meditation, worship, listening and reading scripture. This is how we primarily hear the God's voice.
Our favorite guru's faith is not our faith. It can add to, increase and aid our faith. But it is not our faith. For that matter, our parents' faith, pastor's faith, whoever's faith is not our faith. Our faith is based on the reality of a personal God who gave his son for each of us. Our faith is based on the truth of scripture that comes alive in us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is as personal as our God is personal.
God, help me to hear your voice... in, and sometimes in spite of, all the voices speaking around me...
For now...
D
