How do we be heavenly minded without becoming “no earthly good”?
Discussion question for September 11, 2009.
We are commanded to “pray without ceasing” and “at all times pray in the Spirit”. How can we do this while still living in the “real” world? Does it require multi-tasking to focus on work while praying in the spirit? Are we sometimes released from paying attention to eternal things so we can work on daily life things? What does it look like to be “in the world but not of it”?
Here’s my summary of our discussion.
Practicing the Presence of God was demonstrated by Brother Lawrence, and there is a sense in which that seems possible but only for a monk in a kitchen. We can “practice the presence” by being alert, thankful and watchful as commanded in Colossians 4. Not all of our prayers will be focused with prayer closet intensity. Sometimes we are just aware of our relationship with God and communication with Him.
One of the ways to facilitate our awareness and sharpen our spiritual senses is to exercise the spiritual disciplines. Fasting, prayer reminders, solitude, and managing our calendars are some examples. The goal of these activities is to become more “heavenly minded”.
A caution should be realized if there are activities or situations in which I am unable to practice the presence of God. Anything that consumes my thoughts or draws my attention at the exclusion of God is to be avoided. God and His creation are inseparable. If my activity are mutually exclusive from my relationship with God, then it is likely a snare or temptation and not something that I am doing in partnership with God.