Spiritual or not so much?

Scripture Verses that caught my attention today: 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.

Observation: Paul makes a significant distinction between spiritual people and unspiritual people.

Application: If it is true that there are both spiritual people and unspiritual people, I wonder what causes this to be so. Why do some people think and act in relation to spiritual things and others not? If everything that God gives is a gift, is not spirituality a gift too? And if so, why do only some people appear to receive it?

On the other hand, I wonder if perhaps we are all spiritual people, but that some of us ignore that dimension of our being—either by dismissing it as unimportant or by simply failing to feed it.

Personally, I lean toward the latter view—that we are all spiritual but that some ignore or neglect this gift. In Paul’s terms, some see spiritual things as “foolishness.” To me that indicates that they see them but do not turn aside to take them in. In today’s Old Testament readings we finished out the book of Deuteronomy which included the death of Moses. Moses’ ministry began when he saw a burning bush that was not consumed. “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up” he said. Moses saw something out of the ordinary—indeed something spiritual—and he took the time to turn aside to it rather than ignore it and go about his merry or not-so-merry way. I think spiritual people entertain things, both in the form of people and in the form of notions. They ponder. They reflect. They are willing to be led.

This is not to say that one must be spiritual in order to ponder and reflect and be led. Those not affiliated with any religion can do such things too. But somehow it seems to take place in a different way…and the gift of God before them is somehow missed.

Prayer: Dear God, I still don’t quite understand why some people are one way and others another, spiritually speaking. Since I believe it’s a gift, I have no merit to brag. But I do wonder why this gift isn’t embraced by all. I’m left with more questions than answers today. And if it’s true that I am in some way among those who are ‘spiritual,’ why have I so often through the years still felt subject to other’s scrutiny? Just some questions I’d like for you to consider when you have the time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Deuteronomy 32-34 and 1 Corinthians 2)