Secularization!

"The term secularization can be very confusing because so many people use it in different ways...Properly defined, secularization is the process through which the decisive influence of religious ideas and institutions has been neutralized in successive sectors of society and culture, making religious ideas less meaningful and religious institutions more marginal. In particular, it refers to how our modern consciousness and ways of thinking are restricted to the world of the five senses". The Call - Guinness

I wanted to find a scripture verse to quote, but it was difficult to fine one. We are living, today, in a very unique culture. We have "neutralized" anything that resembles spirituality. We have limited ourselves to only that which is concrete.

Recently, I did my civic duty by sitting on a jury trial. In the deliberation room, we had to decided the verdict based on the evidence presented. The judge gave us instructions about what was considered "evidence". She includes witness testimony, physical evidence, and common sense. However, when we were in the jury room, most of the jurors wanted to limit the "evidence" to only the physical. Since there were certain physical items not presented, then they assumed the district attorney had not proven the case.

I think we use this same process in determining our faith in God. We have neutralized spirituality because we cannot point to physical evidence. We are not willing to accept the other forms of "evidence" we see around us every day.

Why have we cut ourselves off to some of the most beautiful experiences of life; the dimension of the spirit?

Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing'. But you do not realize you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked...Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:15-17, 20

Lord, help us not to become so self-sufficient that we neutralize our faith and become lukewarm. May we ever hear your voice calling us and drawing us to yourself. Amen.