The Measure of Spirituality

The measure of our spirituality is not found in our well thought out reasoned response to circumstances and people around us, but in the unplanned spontaneous expressions which reflect the things of the heart.  Our ability to respond according to some notions about what constitutes a proper Christian response requires nothing of the heart.  It is simply an exercise which speaks of a determined disciplined effort which is within our power to execute.    T

The true measure of our spirituality is found in how we live in the unplanned moments, the unguarded moments, the moments when no one is prepared to give us a high five for good behavior.  What comes spontaneously from our heart is the real measure of our spirituality.  How we live and what we do when no one is watching says volumes about who rules in our heart.    

As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians about the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), He was not only pointing them toward a Spirit controlled life, a Spirit dependent life, but also a life where the will and agenda of the Spirit becomes more important than any expression of personal ego.  When the fruit grown from the nurturing of the Holy Spirit is growing in our heart, it will become evident in the outward expressions of our life regardless of the circumstances or the people with whom we are confronted.  We will become loving and kind not because of some personal decision about discipline, but because of our willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to express the heart of Christ through us.