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)
His promise is assured - we shall be satisfied. We shall find the necessary means to meet those challenges we are facing. To move beyond the pain, the hurt, and the suffering caused by others - or of our own doing. The more we seek after Him, the more we find fulfillment. Something our present society is not capable of doing.
The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime. As mindful Christians, who are crucified with Christ, we are able to grow in love and knowledge of our Savior as long as we live according to His truths. When we cease to grow; either emotionally or spiritually we do ourselves a profound disservice. But, if we study the scriptures, if we walk faithfully in obedience to His teachings and commandments and live in His will - we may not be stagnant. Instead, we shall possess healthy Christian attitude and character.
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!"
All our easy crutches are stripped away when we face the raw forces or nature. The Israelites had to be tested and humbled in the wilderness before they could enter the Promised Land (Deu 8:2). Paul faced trials and difficulties in the wilderness (2 Cor 11:26). Most notably, Jesus was driven into the wilderness to be tempted (Matt 4:1-11). In these cases, the dangers of the wilderness became an outward symbol for the inner turmoil caused by the temptations of evil.
It is time that we change our perspective and place faithful obedience as a priority of a mindful and crucified Christian life. Where does it begin? How are we to do this? By remembering those covenants, we made when we first came to believe in Christ and were baptized unto Him. Because it is this that we need to face - Christ obeyed the Father in all things. His submission took him to minister, heal, preach, and ultimately experience a cruel death. However, He broke the bonds of sin and death when he rose up the third day.
Spiritual growth is quite a risk that we want to avoid. It is this that causes stagnation in our belief and experiencing the promised blessings. The mindful and crucified Christian life that the good news and great joy offer is one of possibilities and options. This does not mean we will attain those personal desires and outcomes. What it means that we move from a life that is without any sense of meaning and purpose. A life that is without any sense of true joy and peace.
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.
It does not matter one's social status or profession. What matters is knowing each one of us are fellow travelers dealing with personal fears, anxieties, insecurities, and entrenched trauma. While society places emphasis on worldly and material things as a means to define success and personal status - Jesus Christ places greater emphasis on the true path of righteousness that leads to true life.
Transforming our lives from a broken and fallen past requires acceptance of what has transpired beforehand through acknowledging our own failings, our own poor choices, and the circumstances that have been out of our own control. It also requires turning to and giving over our own will to the will of a Sovereign God, knowing that through His own power and mercy, we will receive forgiveness and redemption. It then requires our own commitment in walking daily, seeking His guidance, companionship, and nurture for our own development of faith.
Mindful Christian Living 