Holy Club 12

Do I go to bed on time and get up on time?

One of the joys of 'fasting' from TV during lent is that I don't find myself sitting up late channel hopping for 'something interesting'. Good sleep and a good start to the day makes life so much more productive.

Yesterday, we looked at all ten practices of the Holy Club. Today I'd like to ask what may seem a strange question - why did they bother?

I don't believe for a moment that religious practices make us Holy. If we're not careful we become like the Pharisees who Jesus so often got angry with - self-righteous and judgemental.

So why bother?

What makes us Holy is an encounter with God. 

Some of us have had many encounters with God over the years (that would be my story), others are still seeking that life-changing meeting with God (that was the story of the original Holy Club members).

For many of us in the western church, Elaine Heath sums up where we are succinctly in the Mystical Way of Evangelism - The decline of the church in the United States is best understood as a corporate dark night of the soul.The night is initiated by God and could lead the church to a new and vibrant life. (page 20)

If we are in a God-initiated dark night of the soul, then hard work & religious devotion will never bring us to the dawn - only the Holy Spirit can do that.

What Holy Club practices do is open up our hearts and minds and prepare us for an encounter with God - that's why we do them.
The reward is not found in the practices themselves (helpful though they may be), but in the power encounter with the Holy Spirit that comes to those who desperately seek God.

I need to continually ask myself - am I truly desperate for more of God - or have I settled for being religious?

Bible passage to meditate on Acts 19:1-10