Inside Out- He is Within Us

Inside Out- He is Within Us

Staying Close to God

What do you picture when I say "burn-out"?

There's a couple definitions in this day and age. 'Burn-out' may be used to describe a type of person who uses illegal drugs with reckless abandon. But it may also be used to describe the feeling of a physical or mental collapse after overwork or stress.

And though these two appear to be polar opposites, they have more in common than you may think. While it may be 'easy' to identify a "burn-out" of the first kind by their eyes, their clothes, their habits... it is more difficult to identify someone whose signs of "burn-out" are marked only on the inside, in their soul and their mind.

I have to admit that after this semester, I am feeling a "burn-out" that pushes me to ask... as I have been asking all year- Is this for me? Should I be in a PhD program? Is this where God wants me? Is this just the burn-out speaking, or should I really be somewhere else? I'm still praying for discernment on that one.

But the feeling reminds me people I have heard who have been burnt out in religion, burnt out with God. And then that makes me wonder... were they drawing upon the right source? For our faith to be really really, the outside must match the inside.

Outside

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. ²¹ Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ~James 1:19-26

This is a strong passage, filled with the passion and spirit that makes me want to study James more in-depth. And James is famous for his 'faith in action' position which firmly reminded people that 'faith without works is dead'. As the brother of Jesus, I'm sure he understood his brother fairly well... and perhaps was even frustrated by all these people who said they were following Him, yet not really doing what Jesus had said.

He uses the image of a mirror. The outside of the actual person must reflect what was inside that mirror, and so James reminds individuals not to "forget" but "to continue in" the perfect law that Jesus described.

However, although James is always seen as an action guy, we see the spirit in verse 21... "humbly accept the word of God planted in you that can save you." Two important aspects are seen here. If we are to act as Christians, we must draw our strength from the word of God. Secondly, the word of God cannot be outward only (heard, listened to, read), it must be in our hearts and in our spirit... which happens when we ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit to come into our heart. So, it must not only be outward ... but "inside out"

Inside

I know that I often forget that God is not only near to me, but now that I have asked Christ into my heart... the Holy Spirit dwells in me. And although many people feel uncomfortable with the Quaker terminology of 'inner light', I feel that the 'inner light' described in so many Quaker books is the Holy Spirit that I know... Christ within us. For instance, here is a passage that captures the idea of Christ (the inner light) within us, which helps us to live out His perfect law

Meister Eckhart wrote, 'As thou art in church or cell, that same frame of mind carry out into the world into its turmoil and fitfulness.' Deep within us all there is an amazing inner sanctuary of the soul, a holy place, a Divine Center, a speaking voice, to which we may continuously return. Eternity is at our hearts, pressing upon our time-torn lives, warming us with intimations of an astounding destiny, calling us home unto Itself . Yielding to these persuasions, gladly committing ourselves in body and soul, utterly and completely to the Light Within , is the beginning of true life. It is the dynamic center, a creative Life that presses to birth within us. It is a Light Within which illumines the face of God and casts new shadows and glories upon the face of [humanity]. It is a seed stirring to life if we do not choke it. It is the Shekinah of the soul, the Presence in the midst. here is the Slumbering Christ, stirring to be awakened, to become the soul we clothe in early form and action. And He is within us all. ~From A Testament of Devotion by Thomas R. Kelly

So, when you face burn-out in our faith... and every day... ask the Holy Spirit every day to help and guide and teach you to be more like Christ in all you do, in all you say.

Because that word, that Spirit within us gives us the strength to continue our walk without burn-out.

God is the ultimate renewal resource! In fact, more than that... He is the renewing resource!