Hugo Chavez may say “Yankee go home” from the podium at the United Nations; however, this is a country where everyone wants to come. In America, individualism is rewarded, and rugged individualism is highly praised. I would contend though that without the collective social constructs of liberty, freedom, capitalism, and, etc. individualism would not get you very far.
And so it is with an individaul religious or spiritual life enculturated within a faith community. We all need a spiritual support group and we can go no further than that family support group allows.
Who is your support group? And, are they supporting you?
We really don’t realize the magnitude of Matthew 18:20. Numerous tests have been done comparing individual test scoring and group scoring. When ten (any number) people take a test, they score some “average“. When all ten get together and answer the test questions, the result is significantly better- higher.
What’s this tell you?
The group (can you say order?) generates far greater power and depth than any one individual can. If you plan on any kind of camping or hunting trip, you’d not want to go alone. And, if you’re really smart, you’d want to take someone with you who was “experienced” in the endeavor you’re about to encounter. And yet when it comes to spiritual matters, everyone thinks like a Lone Ranger and listens to no one, nothing, but their own heart beating.
This web site and a dozen others that I do almost daily serve as an on line support group for many. It’s not the best or ideal vehicle, but it can be a supplement to your regular daily diet. Remember, your boat can’t float any higher than the water level (depth of the Spirit) the group you are in produces.
How deep is the water where you are? Is it rising?
Just to add to the question:
How deep is the water where you are, NOW ?..actually I’d add
a couple of more..How deep do you want to go? or How can
you tell how deep it is?..I could go on and on questioning,
but back to the first question..I have some memories..when
My Dad and I used to go to this place to swim (not a pool)
it was a creek and I stayed by the shore, just testing the
waters..My could see My Dad, first walking into the waters
till he could not walk and shouting at me, Son..here is very
deep, don’t try to follow me this deep..Yea, that was the -
cry of a loving Dad that knows that his child does not know
how to swim in deep places..On the other hand..Our Heavenly
Father is also shouting at us,telling us I AM with you, don’t fear, I teach you how to swim..yea this is the time
to jump into the “unknown” knowing HIM and having the assurance that HE CARES !
Jump indeed. Unless and until we are over our heads and can’t swim, we can get by on our own: we have no need of another, let alone God. It’s when we find ourselves ehre we cannot escape, that God really becomes real.