Mindful Christianity is the spiritual discipline of consciously living a crucified life in Christ. Offering a way of denying self, picking up our cross, and truly following the Savior. (Matthew 16:24)
Are you concerned about any inevitable change and challenges that make up everyday life? Seek out wise counsel from our Heavenly Father so that you may regain a clear perspective about those challenges. Seek wisdom on changing adversity into opportunity. He will touch your heart, offer clear vision and direction, and provide peace to your mind and soul.
When we deal with our personal faults and imperfections, we are essentially dealing with being human. These faults, imperfections, weaknesses of our humanity may cause us to become bitter and cynical about life. Our frustration in seeing the imperfections of others as a reminder of how imperfect and incomplete we feel. It is only when we begin the personal journey of living a mindful crucified Christian life that we are coming to realize that spiritual perfection is not something that happens overnight. It is a process of growth. A process of grace. A process of faith. It is also a process where we need to cleanse our hearts and minds of those things that inhibit our own spiritual growth and faith in Jesus Christ. And it is something we are not able to do of our own volition.
Living a crucified and mindful Christian life only occurs with the help of my Heavenly Father. It only occurs when there is unity in purpose and intent as I fellowship with others. I have personally come to believe that my focus on gaining and maintaining control left little room for the healthier things needed in my life. Where there was a lack of self-worth and identity - Christ restored this. Where there was significant imbalance, He restored it. Healthy relationships that are enriching and full of kindness, compassion, and charity - He provided a way to show me how such is achievable. Where I thought no available opportunity afforded me a way through my personal struggles and dilemmas - He guided me through them. All because I learned this truth: "Whatever he says to you, do it!"
By turning our hearts and minds - our life and will over to the care of our Heavenly Father, there is greater contentment, peace, and joy the world is not capable of offering. Like Joseph - we come unto Christ and follow Him as a fulfillment of the Father's commandment. For when we turn our thoughts and hearts toward God, to His promised blessings, we begin to experience the peace and joy Christ offers. It is only when we continue to disobey the teachings and principles of the Gospel, we continue to experience misery and suffering.
The Savior's invitation for us to follow Him by denying self and taking up our own personal cross means we are willing to surrender the care of our lives and will over to Him. By doing so avails us of His power whereby He works through us to do miraculous things. It is not something forced because our Heavenly Father wants us to use our moral agency to choose to be fully invested in our discipleship with Christ. And it is something we make willingly.
A person in the process of coming unto Christ, and following Him as a true disciple, answers the question: "How shall I develop a relationship my Savior?" The answer begins with the spiritual discipline of thoughtful prayer. Allowing self, the ability to be receptive to the spiritual messages that will come. And to be spiritually receptive, we must not be preoccupied with the illusion of control. Such illusion causes us to be demanding as we attempt to fit it in our narrow and logical mindset. Because such preoccupation may mean our failure to notice all the experiences which are there for us.
The proverb of putting one's hand on the plow means that one is decisively willing to commit themselves over to God. Our belief, our faith, our hope, and confidence of salvation and spiritual growth and mastery is sustained in our Heavenly Father - through Jesus Christ. And since some of Christ's teachings reflected the understanding of agriculture in His lifetime - we find the application of this passage poignant and true. Andy person willing to commit their lives and will over to the care of our Heavenly Father will only taste the fruits of spiritual growth, knowledge, insight, wisdom, and mastery by concentrating on growing in Christ and keeping an eternal perspective based on Gospel truths and principles.
As you are invited to study the New Testament - make the effort to allow the Holy Spirit to assist in growing in understanding, establishing a firm testimony of who Jesus Christ is, and what He offers each of us individually. Through our own personal study, meditation, and reflection of how to apply the teachings of the Savior and his apostles into our own lives gives us rich experience in joy, healing, and peace.
When it comes to reading the scriptures, we are able to come to know of their worth and truthfulness. By careful study and understanding of the scriptures, we are able to come to know them. How we liken the scriptures unto ourselves is through visualization of the people, the events, and situations. What is the situation? How does it relate to my own circumstance? By likening the scriptures, we grow, learn, and receive personal insight and inspiration. We also learn the principles and truths from our Heavenly Father. Finally, we want to ponder - or meditate - upon those things that are revealed through our scripture study. By meditating, we ask questions, look for the practical applications and solutions. Are we being convicted and need to seek forgiveness? Do we need to develop more of an attitude toward charity in ministering to others? Are we struggling and need assurance that when we submit our cares and worries over to God - he is faithful and just in meeting us where we are?
Our personal scripture study is not merely a spiritual discipline that is drudgery. It is a time of reflection, seeking, understanding, and receiving personal divine revelation pertaining to who our Heavenly Father is. Understand and come to know who Jesus Christ is. And how to apply the principle truths of the Gospel of Christ in our own lives so that we live a deeper, enriching, and authentic mindful crucified life through Jesus Christ. Our personal scripture study is a discipline whereby we are able to receive spiritual direction for our life.
Mindful Christian Living 