I feel like a spiritual exile. We live in a culture that the philosopher Charles Taylor calls, “the Immanent frame” which is a socially constructed space that frames our lives entirely within a natural, rather than supernatural, order. In other words, in this frame there is little room for God or the Transcendent. We miss so much because of this. It is the problem with the modern world. We just can’t seem to find enough in this world to make us believe. This contributes to the feeling of exile for the Spiritual types. Action is necessary, but contemplation and reflection is as well. It’s like saying all I need is water, but no food to survive! We need both. In order to free ourselves from this world, which is held in captivity to the gods of politics, economics, and ideology; we must liberate our spiritual lives and live as truly as disciples. So, where are we and what is God doing in the world? How can we make a difference in the lives of those who are in exile as well?

Grace and Peace!

- Zac

We all belong to someone, someplace, or somewhere. When we introduce ourselves we normally include where we were born and where we have been. We were made to be individuals, but we were made to be in communion. The word communion is not just a Christian word, it is a word that means in community. How does an individual know who they are if they do not have a community to call them and affirm them?

Many still feel like they do not belong, but belonging is something necessary to be a full human being. We belong to God. Those of us who were baptized belong to Christ. We belong to our church, social group, etc. We belong to our blood kin or those closer to us like our friendship group. Belonging is essential to understanding who and whose you are. I am thankful to belong to so many wonderful groups. When my self-esteem is low, they remind me of what I have done already. When I want to give up, they remind me that I have much more good to give.

We belong to each other. We belong to the world that God created, but more importantly you belong, because God created you to belong!

Grace and Peace!

-Zac