Three Aspects to my Spirituality
(Note: This post is a little scary for me to publish. In the last year, my spiritual beliefs have changed and this is the first time I mention some specifics. Enjoy.)
I was thinking about my spirituality today. With someone new in my life, it occurs to me that sharing my spirituality with people I am close to is really important. Many people in my life have different spiritual beliefs than me, but I am still able to connect with them spiritually. When I started to question what was really important to me about this, it occurred to me that there are three significant aspects of my own spirituality.
- My specific spiritual beliefs
- My connection with my Higher Power
- How I see and feel God in the world
My Beliefs
The first part is what used to make me feel a huge disconnect with other people. I allowed my specific spiritual beliefs to isolate me from anyone that was different. As I mentioned in my first post (go read it!) I believe that God created the universe. I believe that He is perfect, and that I am not. I believe that His Son Jesus was perfect, and because of that and because He was both fully God and man, he was qualified to be the final sacrifice for the stuff I do wrong. I believe that by trusting in this information, I have a connection with God and a feeling of assurance that I get to go to a good, happy land when I die. I believe in the Bible and that it was inspired by God.
My Connection with God
The second part is what I have developed the most over the past two years. My connection with God is a very personal part of my spirituality, and it is just between us .My relationship with God has become much more intimate. I trust Him much more. I have an inner confidence that everything is happening for a reason. When my car broke down and the repairs were expensive, I knew God wanted to take care of that and there were reasons that it happened (that I may never know). I know there is a lesson in everything, and it is much easier to walk through life knowing that even the bad is ultimately for my good.
When I pray, I rarely ask for specific things. I pray about ideas, and ask in generalities. For instance: instead of praying for a pay raise, I pray that all of my needs would be met. I thank God that I have *everything* I need already, and a LOT of what I want. When I keep praying this way, the things I want manifest. Rather than praying and begging for it, I trust that what I want will come exactly at the right time, and at a time that is best for me. This really works.
How I See and Feel
The last part is the newest realization and what inspired me to write this post. I don’t even know if what I named it is an accurate description, but I’ll explain what I mean.
My spirituality has changed in such a way, and my mind has been opened in such a way, that I can connect and relate to most people. You see, I used to believe that my beliefs represented the only truth. I shut out everyone else, and could not even begin to relate to them because I could only focus on how to change them.
I still feel confident about my own beliefs, but my perspective has changed. I no longer arrogantly think that I know I am right, and I accept that God is much bigger than I could ever imagine. I used to believe that Gandhi must be going to hell because he didn’t believe Jesus was God. Now, if someone were to ask me what were happening to Gandhi in the afterlife, my answer would be: I don’t know. And right now, while I share my beliefs anytime I get the opportunity, changing anyone’s mind about theirs is not a priority. Loving and accepting someone where they are at is.
THAT is a very freeing thing. It makes God feel so much bigger to me. It makes me LISTEN and become really interested in what you have to say. It enables me to see how He is working in every single person’s life – not just how He works in mine. It is precious to me to see His grace, and how He cares and provides for everyone, even when someone doesn’t believe in a higher power at all.
I experience things differently today than I did a year ago. I see love and light where I didn’t see it before, even in myself. When I make a mistake, I forgive myself so much more easily.
I believe that I can pray and meditate with people who have different beliefs, and I feel connected to them and to God when I do so. I can share my spirituality through art and music with others, and I believe God is the center and the inspiration for it. Cycling is also one of my favorite spiritual pastimes. The more I bike, the more I feel connected to God while I bike. At this moment in my life, I think biking is one of the most spiritual things I do. Even if I have never talk about God with fellow cyclists, I still feel spiritually connected to them.
My other favorite spiritual thing to do right now is vision boards. I prayerfully make one every few months…it’s kind of like a list of short term goals. I feel like designing it with images/thoughts/feelings/desires makes it really open ended to how the results can look. Without specific expectations, I am always surprised, excited and grateful for how God works. I am rarely disappointed these days, and frequently amazed.
Much of my belief system has not changed regarding theology and whatnot, but to be perfectly honest? I care a lot less about the intellectual side of my faith today. That might change, but if it doesn’t? I’m really okay with that. Saying this “publicly” is what scares me a bit. The places I come from tell me that I shouldn’t feel this way. While it is scary, it is also liberating to be transparent.
So, there you have it. I don’t know why I am anticipating people’s reactions to this post- maybe no one will read it. I make up a story that some will be surprised by this post. Some will be excited, some inspired, some disappointed, some confused. Leave your comments! I want to know.
I believe you are amazing! You speak from your heart. I am sure that there are many others, including myself, that feel the way you do. If others don’t well then they are all entitled to their own opinions and beliefs! I love you, Baby Girl!!
Love you too! (my mom is my biggest fan!)
You are an amazing person inside and out…….The fact that you can be so open in a way most have a hard time with (myself included) is very INSPIRING! You should be so proud of yourself and what you have done and accomplished! :) great job <3
Thanks so much! It has been good to “catch up” with you via Facebook and other social media. Thanks so much for all of your encouragement and affirmation, and thanks for reading! I am glad God is using me ;)
Hi Alison! I enjoyed reading your post. I think another persons walk in life with the Lord is always an interesting read. Its a metamorphasis is it not?! I read a post the other day that I need to share with you. It simply said “what if you woke up this morning with only what you thanked God for yesterday” does that have some power or what?! Until a few yrs ago I wasnt much good at asking the Lord for anything, I thought you should only ask in times of crisis. I wasnt very good at being thankful for what I have either. Losses in life make you rethink your world for sure. Keep up the good work!
Hi Bruce! It is definitely a metamorphosis, and it is so different for each person. I didn’t used to understand this, and it made me really frustrated and confused when people weren’t like me. I identify with the fact that loss made me rethink my world. I am so grateful! Thank you for sharing with me. Good to see you!
I really enjoyed your piece. It takes a lot of courage to open yourself up to other people. It is difficult to see changes in yourself, especially when it comes to your spirituality. You grow up with a certain concrete set of beliefs and when those beliefs evolve, or even change, it’s scary to admit, even to yourself, that you now feel differently. You have grown in your beliefs and I think that this new acceptance and respect for other’s beliefs is wonderful.
Thank you!
Shalom Aleichem. You are an amazing soul, created by an amazing God. You have voiced your thoughts to all, leaving yourself open to love or hurt. We should all be so bold! You speak with love, and the judgement is leaving. Judgement is God’s work; yours is loving. Alison, wise souls know that they are in a state of becoming. Just being is a loss. Life will mold you, and shape you, and surprise you in ways you will never expect. These are the stories of your life- what make you the uniquely beautiful person you are. God only made one of you, and He made you in perfect love. My belief is that all people are made by His perfect love, and their lives belong to Him. We are all here to teach & learn & share, and especially rejoice in the profound beauty that God gifts to us. And you are correct, God IS bigger than you can imagine. So you are free to live in love for ALL His creations, leaving God to do His work. If you judge, then you are trying to do God’s work, which is a horrible waste of you and your unique gifts to the world. Thank you for being in my life. Thank you for sharing you with me. Thank you that when I step back to look at the tapestry of my life and our world, I can see the beauty and grace that you have placed there.
Lori, thank you for sharing and for reading. I am glad you are in my life!
enjoyed your article about your spirituality. i think as long as you have a repentive heart (1jonn1-9),and are able to be taught.you will do well.we can not act upon what we do not know.i think as long as we are prepared to give an account of what we believe, after we have earned a right to be heard,if the opportunity ever comes.and we take advantage of those opportunities. i believe the lord is very patient with us.if we are willing to speak the truth in love,God will be with us.our responsibility is to speak. our audience and God are responsible for what happens after that.i believe you have applied Gods truth ( all truth is God’s truth) to your life and have done well.our intellect should be used foremost to applying God’s word to our lives.then maybe we can help others if the lord allows it…… God bless ya.
clint
Thank you Clint!
Just the opposite of what Reverand Collins pesotd is true as well. I have many issues with the course and dictates of organized religion. For a long time I have denied any spiritually in my life. But then you begin to realize that there is so much more to it. It is your base connection to the universe and it doesn’t really matter how you define that.Great post Allegra. Very inspiring and motivating!Cheryl James recently pesotd..
Thanks for being so vulnerable and brave to share your heart here. Isn’t it so sweet how Jesus changes us? I’ve found it to (usually) be pretty painful, but in the end- always, always worth it. Remember when we were in the “New believers” class together back when we were preteens and just accepted Christ? This made me think of those times with you! It’s neat to think where God has taken us since then. :) It truly is a journey!
Haha, yes I remember! I agree, I think it is amazing and precious to see where we were and where we are. God has brought us through SO much change! What a journey.