The quote below by Michael Yaconelli reflects one way in which my ideas about spirituality have evolved. Contrary to the ways that we are often brought up to think, particularly within the confines of strict religious communities, I don’t believe that the basis of spirituality is rule-driven. It’s all about the relationship that you cultivate with that which is Sacred and Divine. I call that being God and affirm the existence of a compassionate, loving, justice-seeking Jesus. And, my belief in this Jesus encourages me to read (often accept, yet also wrestle with) His Word. Someones else’s spirituality, though, may reflect a different understanding born from a different journey, and that is a good thing. We are given the opportunity to learn and grow from one another’s spiritual understandings.
In other words, there’s not just one way to be spiritual. God is so complex that we all can hold a piece of the puzzle.
“Spirituality is not a formula; it is not a test. It is a relationship. Spirituality is not about competency; it is about intimacy. Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection. The way of the spiritual life begins where we are now in the mess of our lives. Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is present in the tangledness of our lives. Spirituality is not about being fixed; it is about God being present in the mess of our unfixedness.”
~ Michael Yaconelli, Messy Spirituality
Hello, God 
Thank you for sharing this quote, and your insight. I believe that true spirituality is indeed very complex, and I am convinced that much of the stress surrounding this subject is imposed by fellow flawed humans who find discomfort in ambiguity and the mysterious unknown. Our limited, carnal minds try to make sense of our existence through the lens of human logic, which will never suffice. I take great pleasure and joy in pursuing the One True Living GOD, eternal spiritual Being. In doing so, I learn more about who I really am.
That’s a wonderful analysis, Pastor Esi. Thank you for sharing that. It’s extremely difficult to make sense of the spirit with our carnal minds, which is where our faith comes into play. I love that we learn and grow from each other.
Thank you for sharing EllsMoM. This message is for me and so timely. I am one the people born and raised in another journey, when I became a young adult I began a spiritual relationship with the Jesus you described in your blog. Back then I felt like I had to totally deny and or suppress the early stages of my journey. However, that was not working for me. It left me in a constant state of duplicity. As I continued to explore and study faith practices I became more aware of the common Unity of God and His people. Jesus taught us that he has sheep that are not of this fold. By that teaching I’ve begun to embrace the totality of my journey as one whole tapestry, not separated part mutually exclusive of one another. Thus began my personal quest to become an integrated whole. Now in response to and inspired by your freedom in ths blog, I am able articulate my internal dialog. Thank you EllsMoM. We have come too far to turn back now so let’s go and Keep Going.