What Is True Spirituality?

In response to the devotional titled "You Carry His Presence," a lady wrote that her working years were spent as a legal secretary in a small law office. Her desk was at the window where she greeted clients. 

"Although the attorney was a Christian," she wrote, "he preferred that I not have a Bible in view on my desk. I do have a Bible bound like a law book so it was on my desk with other reference books. I often wished that I could share with clients, but always felt for them and had a ready smile. 

"Years later we closed the office as the attorney left the practice to go into the ministry. Many came by and shared how they had been spiritually uplifted by being there. I had no idea and had often wished that I could help them. 

"The only explanation was that they had unknowingly experienced the presence of Christ."

It is true that when we are with a non-Christian, we bring the presence of Christ. MacRina Wiederkehr said, "There is nothing so healing in all the world as real presence. Our real presence can feed the ache for God in others." Jesus is the real One, and His indwelling presence in us is a reality and makes a difference. His Spirit in us communicates with their spirit.

True Christ-like spirituality is not easy to define, but its presence or absence can often be discerned. Oswald Sanders said "[Spirituality] is the power to change the atmosphere by one's presence, the unconscious influence that makes Christ and spiritual things real to others."

Moses pleaded for God's presence when God called him to lead the Israelites. "What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15, 16).

Jesus, if Your presence is not with me, I have nothing to mark me as distinct from anyone else and nothing that will draw others to You.

"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest'" (Exodus 33:14).