“Many Christians forget that the whole purpose and goal of our salvation is for us to experience a deep, tender, intimate love relationship with God. We were created for such spiritual union -- to be one with God. Only then will we find complete fulfilment and lasting change. Only then will we find the faith and power to live a life of destiny. The greatest is love (1 Cor. 13:13).”
In the quotation above, Pastor Kong Hee speaks of that spiritual union with God in Christ by the Spirit that surpasses all limited words and imaginations, in the deepest of the deep. Sweet. Intimate. Tender. Utter surrender. Sheer bliss. Words must fail.
In this regard, I like this Sanskrit aphorism from my teacher in his Ananda Sutram, which describes this realization:
“Sukham anantam anandam
Anandam brahma ityahuh.”
“Infinite happiness is bliss (ananda)
This bliss is called brahma.”
Once again, this “ananda” is only possible in the silence and solitude of profound meditation that transcends all we currently know about meditation in the institutional church. I have served as assistant pastor in two churches. I have immersed myself in church life. But I can tell you that such deep meditation is unheard of in the church, much less spoken or preached. If anything, there is much irrational and unbiblical fear about the practice of sheer silence. Filled with such paranoia, how can there be any knowledge of or desire for deep meditation and spiritual union?
Even I, a brother in Christ, get demonized and rejected. How does one belong to a church that demonizes and rejects you for who you are? If this is how church works, is it any surprise that real growth is elusive? And I am not taking about census statistics, which mean nothing to me. For professing a religious affiliation does not equate to genuine discipleship. No discipleship, no salvation. No salvation, no true church.
Who, what, and where is the church—the ekklesia of Christ? I feel we must be far less hasty in coming to a conclusion on this, for the Spirit of God poured out on all flesh works in wondrous and often unexpected ways. Puny brains need at least a modicum of humility.
Love. Big word. Hardly shown or embodied. I throw you, the church, my challenge. Prove it to me. Speak less. Embody and enact more of Love.
