Where are You?

I recently had an opportunity to meet with an old friend and get caught up on all the events in our lives that have been happening since we last saw each other. We have known each other for the past two decades and been involved in a number of ministry roles together. It therefore wasn’t a surprise to me when the question came up, “Where are you?”

The simplest answer would have been, “Right here in front of you.” However, locality is never behind the intention of this question. Over our relationship this question has been the barometer to our spiritual development. I have seen all too often how the trouble of measuring development is one-way: my standard, not yours. So, answering this question becomes an art of reading the mind of the other to keep from alienating them with all the truths you’ve had revealed to you, but you know they haven’t even reached for yet.

Before you think that this is deceptive realize how each of us is on a journey in this development of our spirituality. We are at differing stages of maturity within this dance with the divine. While “…the truth will make you free,” we all need to hear Jack Nicholson yelling at us, “YOU CAN’T STAND THE TRUTH!” when speaking into the lives of those on the journey.

Let me make this clear. Just because you attend a church or fellowship doesn’t mean that you are developing spiritually. Actually, these institutions hinder almost all who frequent them simply by the conformity required to maintain community. These organizations are the starting blocks to the race but dragging them along while you run becomes tiresome as they bite at your heels to stay in their lane.

I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m a grace guy. My many posts here are indicative of this truth. Yet just making this claim has differing understandings to many differing persuasions. Some find it encouraging, others find it too simplistic, while there are those out there who find it downright offensive and arrogant. Like I’ve said, it’s a journey for each of us.

At this moment, where am I? There is much to offer here but let me just begin with one word: Namaste. This is a respectful Hindu greeting which roughly translated means, “The god in me recognizes the god in you.” If you take the time to meditate on this, really meditate for several months, you will soon uncover a deep truth: You are god.

I know that many of you are flipping out right now. Go to John 10:34 and see what Jesus had to say about this. Notice also the case of the letters. I’m not claiming (and Jesus is not claiming) you to be GOD but god.

Psa 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

Many will profess to be “In Christ,” or how their body is the temple of the living God, or how Jesus lives in their hearts. But when confronted with the truth of God being omnipresent, being everywhere all the time, they deny the truth with some asinine statement like, “My body, my choice.”

Being a grace guy means I must diligently recognize the kingdom of grace in all of its manifestation in all of creation. The Father is still working today just as He has been since the beginning. He never changes. Namaste forces you to admit this truth to all you come in contact with. Herein then lies the real meaning of grace. If you can’t see god in front of you how then can you know god inside of you? Keep meditating on this and you’ll come face to face with the real question: Where are you?