Another great article and analysis! Never really thought about it in those terms; God has spoken vs God is speaking. I guess I’ve always just assumed the former and that has formed the foundation of my beliefs and seeking. It makes total sense to understand competing views in these terms!
I highlighted two phrases (among many great ones!). The last one about Millennials and Gen Z speaks for itself, but I will comment on the first one I highlighted about loneliness. I can provide my testimony in absolute agreement with this statement. It took me well into my 30’s to realize I had been feeling that loneliness my entire life growing up in the church.
Why do I feel / have felt so disconnected from my family and culture? It’s because of the fear of non-approval. As comfortable as I am in my skin and my beliefs and my search for God, I still have those lingering human needs, or better stated as “desires”. I want my family to be proud of me. I want them to applaud my searching and eagerly listen to what I have found.
Needless to say, my desires and reality rarely match up. Luckily, my worst fears of open opposition and disownment have not happened, but as they say, reality still leaves much to be desired.
I realize now that those desires are the source of my loneliness, and my own egotistical needs for approval and recognition are the source of those desires. Further, I cannot be fully open and receptive to God’s dynamic revelation when I’m grasping for something that simply isn’t going to happen or isn’t there.
This comment has turned into an essay…
So I decided to spend less attention on my ego (after working out some of its insidious methods and tendrils) and more attention on what is right in front of me. I’ve found peace in trusting God. I still mostly keep my mouth shut during family interactions, but I do so for a different reason now. Before, I kept quiet out of fear. Now I keep quiet until Spirit moves me to speak. It is in the moment of action/interaction that God or the Holy Spirit moves and touches us. Shifting focus away from my interior desires, fears, and doubts and instead emptying myself so that I can receive Spirit in every moment has opened my eyes to Heaven on Earth, right here and now. God is indeed here, and He is indeed still speaking!
Apologies for the length, but thank you for the inspiration 😊🙏
