Spirituality is...Opening Your Eyes

What are we scared of? Why are we frightened of the dark?

Maybe it's nothing. Maybe it's nothing but a spark

Everyone's longing. Everyone's longing to be wise.

What if its simple? Easy as opening  your eyes.

               "Breathe" by The Kennedys

  

Spirituality  can be transformed, enhanced and nurtured through readings and writings in sacred texts. However, while we manage to find plenty of spiritual encouragement in everything from TV sitcom theme music to elegant 15th century poetry, we seem to have problems finding it in a text designed for spiritual encouragement. The bible.

Too often the bible is written off as an archaic rule book we really don't need or it is studied at such a close and scrutinizing range that we miss the larger point of living in the world with a faith based on love.  The problem isn't just the fact we rarely read anymore - but the lens we look through when we read it.

Not long ago I heard a woman say, “I love C.S. Lewis”.  That certainly made my ears perk up!

“Which book do you like best?” I inquired. “Screwtape Letters? Great Divorce? Mere Christianity?”

“Oh,” she replied, as if antennas had started growing out of my ears. “I’ve never read any of his books!”

“But you love him?” I asked suspiciously.

“Yes,” she said. “I’ve seen those Narnia movies several times!”

Whether I like it or not, we are becoming a nation of “see-ers” more than a nation of readers. As a writer, that’s something I would like to rail against. However, I have to admit I do it too. With limited time and patience, watching a 2 hour movie sometimes seems easier than reading an 800 page book.  

I’ve often wondered what would happen if we turned the Bible into a movie, or better yet, a series since the story is much too big for one film. Series films worked for Harry Potter, Narnia and Lord of the Rings. Why not the Bible?  They could cast different directors to do the different parts.

In my perfect world the following directors would be cast:

For the creation narrative – A great naturalist director like David Attenborough. It would, of course, be narrated by Morgan Freeman (or James Earl Jones, if Mr. Freeman is busy).

For the lives, dramas and loves of the Patriarchs, their wives and children – Nora Ephron, queen of the romantic comedy/drama would be great.

For the laws of Leviticus through Numbers – Morgan Spurlock, of “Supersize Me” and “30 Days” fame can do a documentary where he tries to live by the whole law for 30 days.

Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon – Definitely Merchant and Ivory – with Emma Thompson cast the “the Beloved”.

Prophets – Michael Moore could do an investigative documentary on the lives of the prophets and their messages and if he’s still too controversial, then a turn by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour might be interesting.

Who better to tell the gospel story with its miraculous conclusion than the master of happy endings, and resurrections – Stephen Spielberg?

Nick Cassavetes, director of acclaimed memoir movies like “The Notebook” and “My Sister’s Keeper” would do a great job with the epistles.

And for Revelation, with its vibrant imagery and final battle, there can be none other than action-disaster maven Michael Bay.

Armageddon: This time it's personal!

Maybe, if we filmed it that way, people might be willing to give the Bible a second chance (or even a first look).

Reconnecting with God can be enhanced greatly by reconnecting with the love story set before us to help us understand the nature of God in relationship.  Sadly, many people have a preconceived view of the bible which acts as a deterrent to their investigation of scripture.

• “The Bible is so anti-woman.”
• “It’s nothing but a bunch of rules that don’t matter anymore.”
• “The Old Testament God is so angry; I can’t stand to read it. It’s like being trapped in a car with my grandfather who is throwing a raging fit and telling me how messed up I am.”
• “It’s a series of folk and cultural narratives that have nothing to do with my life.”
• “The Bible is just used to shame and keep us from asking real questions.”

 On and on the stereotypes about the Bible persist.  And yet, when you find yourself saying one or more of those sentences you aren’t revealing anything about the Bible; you are showing what lens you’ve been looking at it through.

Whether you see the Bible through the lens of a child who was preached to or punished with Biblical edicts, or from the academically detached lens of literary criticism, you aren’t giving it a chance to permeate your heart, mind and soul with the living truth and inspiring examples it has to offer.

Seen differently:

• ·         “The Bible lifts up women as examples of courage, faith, hope and life”
• ·         “Living by codes like “do unto others” and “love your neighbor” can make your life better and joyous.”
• ·         “The Old Testament God tries time and time again to make a lasting love with the people of Israel, and every time they fail that relationship God forgives them, brings them back and tries again. The Old Testament is the story of a God who never stops reaching.”
• ·         “The stories of rage, regret, love, sacrifice, ambition, and hope are still played out in our relationships with each other to this day.”
• ·         “The Bible wants us to think, like Thomas did, and shows Jesus revealing answers to the questions and proof to the doubts. The Bible repeatedly encourages us to ask, seek, reach and knock.”

How can the same Bible create both of those lists?  It isn’t the book, it’s the eye of the beholder that matters. If you aren’t happy with the way you see the Bible and its wisdom, then change your lens and look again. Stop seeing the bible as an "old book" and start seeing it as a new hope.  Recognize it as a love story - between God and the people of Israel (OT) and God and everyone else (NT).

At it's core spirituality is about openness.  In terms of the bible -

Open the book

Open your mind

Open your heart

Open your life

Open your eyes.