Continuing our series entitled Spiritual Pathways, based on the book Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas. The premise of the series is that many times we look at how other people worship God and try to mimic that in our own walk. Sometimes that works out, other times we are frustrated because we don’t seem to be getting closer to God.Over the next few weeks we are going to unpack different ways that people connect with God. This week we took a look at the Activist (who loves God through confrontation) and the Caregiver (who loves God through loving others).
Below you will find 5 questions for each. On a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being very true and one being not true at all) answer the questions. The highest number of points possible is 25; the higher your score, the stronger the dominance of that spiritual pathway in your life. But remember most of us have more than one spiritual pathway. Any score of 15 or higher indicates a tendency towards that pathway.
Are you an activist?
I feel closest to God when I’m cooperating with him in standing up for his justice: writing letters to government officials and newspaper editors, picketing an abortion clinic, urging people to vote, or becoming familiar with current issues.
I get very frustrated when I see apathetic Christians who don’t become active. I want to drop everything else I’m doing and help the church overcome it’s apathy.
The words courageous confrontation and social activism are very appealing to me.
Activities like confronting a social evil, attending a meeting to challenge the new curriculum before the local school board, and volunteering on a political campaign are important to me.
I would like to awaken the church from it’s apathy.
Are you a caregiver?
I feel closest to God when I see him in the needy, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. I feel God’s presence most strongly when I am sitting quietly beside the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or volunteer for helping activities.
I grow weary of Christians who spend their time singing songs while a sick neighbor goes without a hot meal or a family in need doesn’t get help fixing their car.
The words service and compassion are very appealing to me.
I sense God’s power when I am counseling a friend who has a lost job, preparing meals for or fixing the car of a family in need, or spending a week at an orphanage in Mexico.
I would rather nurse someone to health or help some repair their house than teach an adult Sunday school class, go on a prayer and fasting retreat, or take a lonely walk in the woods.
