Expressions of faith: Spirituality: My creation    

A reflection on spirituality and inner guidance through Acts 17, exploring how faith, awareness, and genuine worship shape a secure and meaningful life.

Picture of Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr.

Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr.

Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr.

God made the world and all things in it. He is Lord of heaven and earth. He does not dwell in temples made with human hands. Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything. He gives to all mankind life and breath and everything needed (Acts 17:24-25).

In this world there is a road that each one of us will have to travel that gives meaning to this journey called life. Life’s journey will do one of two things: lead you or loose you. Life is all about the inner person that guides you, helps you, and sets your future. It’s a sense, a feeling, a sight, a touch, a hearing, and a perception that connects you to God and His word.

It’s the ability to know that something has awakened my awareness and there is a desire to follow the leading of the Lord. A leading in me that if I don’t heed it, I will be lost and without. If I don’t pay careful attention to it or listen and acknowledge it in a way that is spiritual, I will lose it—and it will take actions on its own to go elsewhere. I will be lost because I refuse to listen, believe and follow this move to God.

This presence will give you a security in which you will trust everything that it is doing in you and for you. This presence says to be secure. It will bring a presence about you leading to freedom from want. It will bring about a place of belonging and living a guaranteed life.

This new life will make you secure within yourself. You will trust the inner you. Without this inner security, it’s a sign that nothing is their. You are empty.

If you are not genuine to yourself, you will be lost in your life. For you are not living in accordance with the actual state or conditions that conform you—to the real you that gives meaning and the facts of life.

Look at Acts 17: Paul, Silas and Timothy are on their second missionary journey. Paul is worshiping in the meeting place and speaking on the sabbath. He uses the scriptures to show them that the Messiah had to suffer, and to be raised from the dead. The Messiah he’s preaching about is Jesus and his crucifixion. He’s asking: ‘Do you believe the word, and will you follow Silas and me?’

When Paul was in Athens, he was troubled to see that the city was full of idols. They were in the courtyards, in every house, in the temples. There were idol altars everywhere for the worship of these gods.

“As I was going through your city, I saw the object of worship. I found an altar that had these words written on it: ‘to a god who is not known.’ You worship a god that you don’t know, and I am telling you about a God that I know exists,” Acts 17:23.

It upset Paul to see that these people were lost. Look at the horror that surrounds you. Look at what you are bowing down to. Are you worshiping that which your own hands have made? This vexes me if it does not bother you. I’m full of grief and indignation, anger, pain, hurt, and offense at what I see you do. Will you change?

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