Finding God at Home

My favorite Adventist church building is the Eagle Rock Church in Los Angeles. The play of natural light, the geometry of the dark beams and with plaster, the shape of the space all conspire to evoke tranquility and gentle wonder. A perfect place to encounter God.

Where do you most readily encounter God? In a worship concert? In the out-of-doors? In a retreat center? In a “perfect” church service?

Christian spirituality has been distorted by the dominance of an individualism rooted in Paul’s singleness. He wrote, “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife . . . [and it is similar for a woman.] I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. Unfortunately, this immature fascination with “pure spirituality” has dominated Christian spiritual writing for 2000 years. Nearly all of the “Great Classics” of Christian spiritual writing were authored by single people who imagined that ultimate spirituality was cultivated in an escape from earthly distractions into a single-minded focus on God.

However the creation stories of Genesis One and Two point to marital union as the “image of God” and the goal of creation. The nature of God is seen most clearly in marriage. Jesus affirmed classic Jewish theology in his statements about the Great Commandments: Love God and love your neighbor.

In Matthew, the Great Commandment of Chapter 22 is followed by the story of the sheep and goats in Chapter 25. In Luke 10, the Great Commandment is followed by the story of the Good Samaritan. In each passage loving God is honored as the greatest commandment. And in each passage, the ultimate test one’s love for God is love for humans, especially those close by. And who is closer than our spouses, children and parents?

Real spiritual life is found in the glorious ecstasy of sexual union and in the sometimes difficult and painful dance of blending the diverse needs, desires, languages, families and convictions of a husband and wife. “Loving God” in a religious sense is laughingly easy compared to loving the enemy you sleep with, the man or woman who communicates (or not) in ways that drive you crazy. Adoring God in prayer and music is mere child’s play compared with loving God in the person of a rebellious teenager or in the person of a sadistic parent. Authentic spirituality is not found in escape from human distraction into religious or spiritual bliss. Authentic spirituality is experienced in loving human beings—above all our spouses.

Looking to encounter God? Do you want to develop your spirituality to the very highest degree possible? Go home.