Today is the day. Now is the time.
As Christian churches become more conscious and move from their conceptual dogmatic beliefs toward systematically helping people live better lives, their frames of reference will increasingly be able to move into the present moment. As David wrote, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”(60)
Christianity that is unconscious, like the unconscious mind itself, is preoccupied with its dogmatic thinking. With greater consciousness, we can learn that we are not our thoughts and that thoughts are often not our friends. Developing a more Jesus-centric Christian practice through meditation and silent prayer in church can help to cultivate the ability to live with equanimity in the present moment and to experience the “peace that passes understanding” that Paul wrote about in Philippians.(61)
To experience more abundant Christian lives through greater Christian consciousness, churches may find it useful to reflect upon the following questions:
- To what degree is the Christian life a dogmatic versus a spiritual experience?
- How much of Christian practice should happen inside versus outside the church?
- To what degree should the Christian community focus on denominational dogma compared to Jesus’ priorities of love, connection, and service?
- How well-connected are Christians to their direct experience and that of their communities?
Increasing Christian consciousness isn’t hard, but it does take practice. Different people will take different paths, but dedicating time to personal meditation and silent prayer, engaging in a community of other like-minded and loving people, and deliberately serving (financially and physically) those who are suffering, are all good places start.
What if Christians considered asking different and better questions which focused on the three things that Jesus said were most important (love, connection, and service)? Perhaps this might help Christians and the Christian church move from focusing on what dogma they believe to the best ways to love others. As Jesus said, they will know us by our fruits.(62)
Today is the day. Now is the time.
60. Psalm 118:24, NKJV
61. Phil. 4:7
62. Matt. 7:20
