Uncategorized – Page 3 – God or Delusion?

Abandoned and Waiting: A Response to August 1st

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “Something More about His Ways,” promises that when believers obey God’s call to leave, “the Lord himself ministers to those you leave behind,” claiming that God “comes where he commands us to leave” and “works where he sends us to wait,” with divine instruction and power coming to those who trust God with the consequences of obedience.

Here’s what trusting that God ministers to those left behind and works where He sends us to wait actually delivered:

“When you obey and go, trusting God with the consequences, the Lord himself ministers to those you leave behind,” Pastor Thompson declared with spiritual certainty. “He comes where he commands us to leave. Don’t let duty compete with God’s commands. Wait on God where He sends you, and He will work. He wants to turn your waiting into transformation.”

Michael felt called to missionary work in Central America, leaving behind his aging parents who needed increasing care and his wife who was struggling with depression. The promise that God would minister to his family while he waited on divine timing seemed like the spiritual assurance he needed to follow what he believed was God’s clear calling despite family concerns.

Michael desperately wanted to believe that divine obedience would trigger God’s care for those he left behind. Instead of developing practical support systems for his parents, ensuring his wife had professional mental health care, or considering how to serve God while maintaining family responsibilities, he trusted that obeying the call to leave would result in divine ministry to his loved ones through supernatural means that would exceed human care.

For months, Michael prepared for overseas ministry while his parents’ health declined and his wife’s depression worsened, believing that his obedience to God’s calling would activate divine intervention for his family’s needs. When concerned friends suggested delaying his departure until better support systems were in place, he declined, convinced that staying would prevent God from ministering to his family and that waiting sulkily on timing showed lack of faith in divine working.

But the promised divine ministry to those left behind was family abandonment disguised as spiritual obedience.

Michael’s attempts to trust God with the consequences of leaving created additional family crisis on top of existing health and mental health challenges. The divine ministry that God was supposed to provide to those left behind remained absent while his parents struggled without adequate support and his wife’s depression deepened in isolation. The divine working that waiting on God was supposed to produce never materialized when his family needed practical care and presence most.

Meanwhile, Michael’s neighbor David approached his own sense of calling to overseas service with comprehensive family care planning and practical support systems. When David felt drawn to international work, he delayed his departure until his parents had professional care coordination, his wife had established mental health treatment, and extended family support networks were in place to provide ongoing practical assistance.

David didn’t trust God to minister to those left behind but treated family responsibilities as requiring human planning and professional care systems before pursuing personal calling. His service came through gradual transition planning, family care coordination, and eventually pursuing international work only after ensuring comprehensive support systems rather than trusting that divine obedience would trigger supernatural ministry to abandoned family members.

When Michael finally returned to address his family’s deteriorating situation, he discovered that healthy family care required understanding practical support systems and professional services rather than trusting that God would minister to those left behind through spiritual obedience.

Where was the divine ministry to those left behind that obedience was supposed to activate? Where was God working in the waiting and coming where He commanded departure to care for abandoned family members?

The care that actually helped came through accepting the necessity of human support systems and focusing on evidence-based family care planning, not through believing that spiritual obedience would trigger divine ministry to those left without practical support. The silence where God was supposed to be ministering revealed the truth: there was no divine working that replaced human responsibility for family care through supernatural intervention.

Only aging parents and mental health challenges that required professional understanding and practical support systems to address successfully while pursuing personal calling responsibly.

Reflection Question: When has practical family care planning and professional support systems been more effective than trusting that God ministers to those left behind in spiritual obedience?

This story is part of my upcoming book “The Undevoted: Daily Departures from Divine Dependence,” which offers 365 human-centered alternatives to the spiritual certainties in Chambers’ devotional. Each day explores how reason, community, and human resilience can address life’s challenges without requiring divine intervention.

Never Entirely His: A Response to July 31st

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “Till You Are Entirely His,” promises that God keeps “every detail of our lives under his scrutiny” and will “bring us back to the same issue over and over again until we learn our lesson,” claiming that through divine persistence, believers will become “mature and complete, not lacking anything” as God achieves “the finished work” until they are “entirely his.”

Here’s what trusting that God’s persistent attention to every detail leads to spiritual completion actually delivered:

“God keeps every detail of your life under His scrutiny,” Pastor Chen taught with spiritual certainty. “He’ll bring you back to the same issues over and over until you learn your lesson. Whether it’s impulsiveness, independence, or wandering thoughts—God won’t tire and won’t stop until He’s achieved the finished work. Let perseverance finish its work so you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

Lisa had been struggling with anxiety and perfectionism for years, constantly feeling like she was failing to meet spiritual standards. The promise that God’s persistent attention to every detail of her life would gradually make her “entirely His” and spiritually complete seemed like the divine process she needed to finally achieve spiritual maturity and peace.

Lisa desperately wanted to believe that divine scrutiny of her flaws would lead to spiritual completion and freedom from anxiety. Instead of seeking evidence-based anxiety treatment, therapy for perfectionism, or learning practical coping strategies, she tried to discern God’s lessons in every repeated struggle, believing that His persistent attention to her character defects would eventually produce spiritual maturity and completeness if she remained patient with the divine process.

For months, Lisa interpreted every recurring anxiety episode, perfectionist tendency, or emotional struggle as God bringing her back to lessons she hadn’t yet learned. When concerned friends suggested anxiety therapy, mindfulness training, or even medication consultation, she declined, convinced that seeking human solutions would interfere with God’s persistent work to make her “mature and complete, not lacking anything” through divine attention to every detail.

But the promised spiritual completion through God’s persistent scrutiny was psychological deterioration disguised as divine refinement.

Lisa’s attempts to find God’s lessons in every recurring struggle created additional shame and spiritual pressure on top of existing anxiety and perfectionism. The mature completeness that divine scrutiny was supposed to produce remained absent while her mental health worsened and her perfectionist patterns intensified. The finished work that God’s persistent attention was supposed to achieve never materialized when she needed practical tools for anxiety management most.

Meanwhile, Lisa’s neighbor Emma approached her own anxiety and perfectionism with zero expectation that divine scrutiny would produce spiritual completion. When Emma recognized her perfectionist patterns and anxiety symptoms, she immediately sought cognitive behavioral therapy, learned evidence-based anxiety management techniques, and focused entirely on understanding the psychological mechanisms of perfectionism rather than searching for spiritual lessons in recurring struggles.

Emma didn’t wait for God’s persistent attention to make her complete but treated anxiety and perfectionism as mental health challenges requiring professional intervention and practical skill development. Her healing came through therapy, mindfulness training, and gradually building healthier thought patterns through sustained psychological work rather than trusting that divine scrutiny of her character defects would produce spiritual maturity and completeness.

When Lisa finally sought similar professional help, she discovered that healthy anxiety recovery required understanding brain chemistry and developing practical coping strategies rather than trusting that God’s persistent attention to every detail would make her spiritually complete and lacking nothing.

Where was God’s scrutiny of every detail that was supposed to bring her back to lessons until she learned them? Where was the divine persistence that would never tire until achieving the finished work of spiritual completeness?

The healing that actually helped came through accepting the neurological basis of anxiety and focusing on evidence-based treatment strategies, not through believing that God’s attention to character flaws would produce spiritual maturity and completeness. The silence where divine scrutiny was supposed to be working revealed the truth: there was no God keeping every detail under observation or persistently working toward spiritual completion.

Only psychological patterns and brain chemistry that required professional understanding and practical intervention to address anxiety and perfectionism successfully.

Reflection Question: When has evidence-based anxiety treatment and therapy been more effective than trusting that God’s persistent scrutiny of your flaws leads to spiritual completion?

Deeper Disillusionment: A Response to July 30th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “The Discipline of Disillusionment,” promises that relationships based in God will not end in cynical disillusionment, claiming that divine disillusionment helps believers “see men and women as they are” without bitterness, and that only Jesus Christ can satisfy “the deepest aching abyss of the human heart,” preventing the despair that comes from trusting human beings.

Here’s what trusting that God-based relationships prevent cynical disillusionment and that Jesus satisfies the heart’s deepest needs actually delivered:

“Unless your relationships are based in God, they’ll end in cynical disillusionment,” Pastor Johnson warned with spiritual certainty. “But disillusionment that comes from God brings you to see people as they are without bitterness. Place your trust in Jesus Christ, not human beings, and you’ll never despair of anyone. Only our Lord can satisfy the deepest aching abyss of your heart.”

Rebecca had been devastated when her closest friend betrayed her confidence and her husband left for another woman in the same month. The promise that basing relationships in God rather than human trust would prevent cynical disillusionment and that Jesus would satisfy her heart’s deepest needs seemed like the spiritual protection she desperately needed.

Rebecca desperately wanted to believe that divine relationship foundation would prevent future relational pain and cynicism. Instead of focusing on evidence-based approaches to healthy relationships, boundary-setting, and understanding human psychology, she tried to base all her connections in God and trust Jesus alone to satisfy her relational needs, believing this would protect her from the bitterness that comes from expecting too much from people.

For months, Rebecca avoided forming deep human connections, believing that trusting people rather than God inevitably led to despair and cynicism. When friends offered genuine emotional support and suggested therapy to process her betrayal trauma, she declined, convinced that finding satisfaction in Jesus rather than human relationships would prevent the cruel disillusionment that comes from unrealistic expectations of others.

But the promised protection from cynical disillusionment through God-based relationships was deeper isolation disguised as spiritual wisdom.

Rebecca’s attempts to base relationships in God and find satisfaction in Jesus alone created additional loneliness on top of betrayal trauma. The freedom from cynicism that divine relationship foundation was supposed to provide remained absent while her capacity for human connection atrophied and her understanding of healthy relationship dynamics remained undeveloped. The heart satisfaction that Jesus was supposed to provide never materialized when she needed genuine human support most.

Meanwhile, Rebecca’s neighbor Michelle approached her own betrayal experiences with zero expectation that spiritual relationship foundation would prevent disillusionment or that divine satisfaction would replace human connection needs. When Michelle faced similar friendship betrayals and relationship breakdowns, she immediately sought therapy to understand relationship patterns, joined support groups for betrayal trauma, and focused entirely on evidence-based approaches to building healthier connections through better boundary-setting and communication skills.

Michelle didn’t search for God-based relationship foundation but treated relational challenges as psychological and social issues requiring professional guidance and skill development. Her healing came through trauma therapy, attachment work, and gradually rebuilding her capacity for human connection through sustained practical education about healthy relationship dynamics rather than trusting that Jesus would satisfy her deepest relational needs while protecting her from cynical disillusionment.

When Rebecca finally sought similar professional help, she discovered that healthy relationship recovery required understanding human psychology and developing practical relationship skills rather than trusting that God-based connections would prevent disillusionment and that Jesus would satisfy her heart’s deepest needs.

Where was the protection from cynical disillusionment that basing relationships in God was supposed to guarantee? Where was Jesus satisfying the deepest aching abyss of her heart so she wouldn’t despair of human connection?

The healing that actually helped came through accepting the complexity of human relationships and focusing on evidence-based relationship skills, not through believing that divine relationship foundation would prevent cynicism and that spiritual satisfaction would replace human connection needs. The silence where God-based relationship protection was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no divine foundation that prevented relational disillusionment or spiritual satisfaction that replaced human connection needs.

Only psychological patterns and relationship skills that required professional understanding and practical development to navigate human connection healthily without cynicism.

Reflection Question: When has understanding relationship psychology and developing practical connection skills been more effective than basing relationships in God to prevent cynical disillusionment?

Meaningless Suffering: A Response to July 29th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “What Do You See in Your Clouds?” promises that clouds of sorrow, suffering, and difficult providence are signs of God’s presence, claiming that “sadness and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God” and that believers should interpret life’s mysteries in light of their knowledge of God’s character, finding Him alone in their darkest circumstances.

Here’s what trusting that suffering represents divine presence and God’s teaching through clouds actually delivered:

“Clouds are the dust of our Father’s feet,” Pastor Williams declared with spiritual conviction. “Sadness and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God. These aren’t accidents—they’re signs that He is here. You must learn to interpret the mysteries of life in light of God’s character. Get to the place where there is no one besides Jesus in your cloud.”

Maria had been devastated when her eight-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia. The promise that this suffering was a cloud representing God’s presence, and that she should find divine meaning in this darkness rather than questioning God’s character, seemed like the faithful response to incomprehensible tragedy.

Maria desperately wanted to believe that her daughter’s cancer had divine purpose and represented God’s closeness. Instead of focusing solely on evidence-based treatment options, support groups for families facing childhood cancer, and practical caregiving strategies, she tried to interpret this “cloud” as God teaching her something, seeking to simplify her relationship to Him alone rather than relying on other people for emotional support.

For months, Maria isolated herself from hospital social workers and parent support networks, believing that turning to other people instead of God alone showed insufficient faith in His presence through suffering. When concerned friends offered practical help like meal trains, childcare, or simply listening, she declined, convinced that finding anyone besides Jesus in her cloud would only make it darker.

But the promised divine presence through suffering clouds was psychological breakdown disguised as spiritual intimacy.

Maria’s attempts to find God’s character in her daughter’s cancer created additional spiritual torment on top of medical trauma. The simplified relationship with God that suffering was supposed to produce remained absent while her mental health deteriorated and her daughter needed more practical support than spiritual interpretation could provide. The divine presence that clouds of bereavement were supposed to reveal never materialized when she needed comfort most.

Meanwhile, Maria’s hospital roommate neighbor Carmen approached her own son’s leukemia diagnosis with zero expectation that suffering represented divine presence or teaching. When Carmen faced the same devastating diagnosis, she immediately joined parent support groups, utilized hospital social services, and focused entirely on evidence-based treatment while building a comprehensive community support network.

Carmen didn’t search for God’s character in her child’s cancer but treated pediatric leukemia as a medical crisis requiring professional intervention and extensive human support. Her resilience came through oncology expertise, family therapy, and gradually building coping strategies through sustained community care rather than spiritual isolation seeking divine meaning in suffering.

When Maria finally sought similar support services, she discovered that healthy crisis navigation required understanding medical realities and building human support networks rather than trusting that suffering clouds represented divine presence requiring spiritual interpretation.

Where was God coming with the clouds that her daughter’s cancer was supposed to represent? Where was the divine character that should be revealed through looking the “darkest, most atrocious fact in the face” without questioning?

The strength that actually helped came through accepting the randomness of childhood cancer and focusing on evidence-based treatment with community support, not through believing that suffering represented divine presence requiring spiritual interpretation. The silence where God was supposed to be walking in the clouds revealed the truth: there was no divine figure using tragedy to teach spiritual lessons or demonstrate His presence.

Only medical conditions and family crises that required professional understanding and human community to navigate successfully.

Reflection Question: When has treating suffering as random tragedy requiring human support been more healing than searching for God’s presence and teaching in life’s darkest clouds?

Abandoned in Crisis: A Response to July 28th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “After Obedience, What?” promises that believers who focus on present-moment obedience rather than future goals will see Jesus “walking on the chaos” of their lives, claiming that making obedience the goal rather than dwelling on outcomes will bring “absolute certainty that all is well” simply because they see Christ walking through their storms.

Here’s what trusting that present-moment obedience reveals Jesus walking on life’s chaos actually delivered:

“Don’t focus on outcomes,” Pastor Thompson counseled with spiritual certainty. “God’s purpose isn’t your success—it’s your dependence on Him right now. If you can stay calm and unperplexed in the middle of turmoil, you’ve reached God’s purpose. Make obedience the goal, not results, and you’ll see Jesus walking on the chaos of your life.”

Kevin had been facing bankruptcy after his small business collapsed during the economic downturn. The promise that focusing on present-moment obedience rather than future planning would reveal Jesus walking through his financial chaos seemed like the faith-filled response to overwhelming uncertainty.

Kevin desperately wanted to believe that spiritual dependence would bring divine presence in his crisis. Instead of focusing solely on practical financial recovery, debt negotiation, and career pivoting, he tried to stay “calm and unperplexed” through spiritual obedience, trusting that each moment of surrender would reveal Christ’s presence in his turmoil without needing to see specific outcomes.

For months, Kevin avoided strategic planning and refused to “dwell on the afterward,” believing that present-moment obedience was more important than future-focused problem-solving. When concerned friends suggested practical solutions like business counseling, career transition programs, or even temporary employment, he declined, convinced that focusing on results rather than spiritual dependence would prevent him from seeing Jesus walking on his chaotic circumstances.

But the promised divine presence through present-moment obedience was financial devastation disguised as spiritual surrender.

Kevin’s attempts to see Jesus walking on chaos through spiritual dependence created additional economic disaster on top of business failure. The absolute certainty that “all is well” which was supposed to come from present-focused obedience remained absent while his savings depleted and his home went into foreclosure. The precious moments of divine encounter that obedience-focused living was supposed to produce never materialized when he needed stability most.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s neighbor Luis approached his own business bankruptcy with zero expectation that spiritual surrender would reveal divine presence in chaos. When Luis faced similar financial collapse, he immediately sought business recovery counseling, explored career transition options, and focused entirely on evidence-based financial planning that prioritized practical outcomes over spiritual process.

Luis didn’t search for Jesus walking on his chaotic circumstances but treated business failure as an economic challenge requiring strategic planning and professional guidance. His recovery came through debt restructuring, skills retraining programs, and gradually rebuilding financial stability through sustained practical work rather than present-moment spiritual dependence.

When Kevin finally sought similar professional help, he discovered that healthy crisis navigation required understanding financial systems and career planning rather than trusting that present-moment obedience would reveal divine presence walking through chaos.

Where was Jesus walking on the chaos that present-moment obedience was supposed to reveal? Where was the absolute certainty that all is well which comes from seeing Christ in the storm regardless of outcomes?

The stability that actually helped came through accepting the necessity of strategic planning and focusing on evidence-based recovery strategies, not through believing that spiritual dependence in each moment would manifest divine presence in chaotic circumstances. The silence where Jesus was supposed to be walking revealed the truth: there was no divine figure moving through life’s storms to provide spiritual certainty.

Only economic systems and career challenges that required practical understanding and strategic intervention to navigate successfully.

Reflection Question: When has strategic planning and practical problem-solving been more effective than trusting that present-moment obedience reveals divine presence in chaos?

Spiritual Delusion: A Response to July 27th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “The Way to Knowledge,” promises that spiritual understanding comes through obedience rather than intellect, claiming that “anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out” and that believers receive messages from God that instantly put them to the test, with obedience leading to spiritual progress and divine insight.

Here’s what trusting that obedience to perceived divine messages leads to spiritual understanding actually delivered:

“The key to spiritual understanding isn’t intellect; it’s obedience,” Pastor Davidson taught with unwavering conviction. “If Jesus’ teachings seem dark to you, there’s something you’re refusing to obey. When God brings something home to you, don’t shrug it off. Obey what God tells you to do, even if others call you fanatical, and you will gain the understanding you seek.”

Rachel had been feeling increasingly convicted about her elderly parents’ spiritual condition. The promise that obedience to divine promptings would lead to spiritual insight and understanding seemed to confirm what she believed God was telling her: she needed to cut off contact with her unbelieving parents until they accepted Christ.

Rachel desperately wanted to believe that following these spiritual convictions would bring divine understanding. Instead of examining whether her feelings might reflect family dysfunction, religious manipulation, or psychological projection, she interpreted her growing urge to separate from her parents as a divine message requiring obedience for spiritual progress.

For months, Rachel ignored her parents’ calls and refused family gatherings, believing that obeying this spiritual conviction would reveal deeper truths about God’s will. When concerned friends suggested that healthy family boundaries didn’t require complete abandonment, she dismissed their advice, convinced that her willingness to be “fanatical” in obedience demonstrated spiritual maturity that others lacked.

But the promised spiritual understanding through obedience to divine messages was relational destruction disguised as spiritual insight.

Rachel’s attempts to gain spiritual knowledge through radical obedience created devastating family rupture on top of religious confusion. The divine understanding that was supposed to come from following God’s promptings remained absent while her parents’ health declined and family relationships shattered. The spiritual progress that obedience was supposed to produce never materialized when she needed wisdom most.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s sister Amy approached their parents’ non-religious worldview with zero expectation that spiritual obedience would provide family guidance. When Amy struggled with her parents’ dismissive attitude toward her faith, she sought family therapy, established healthy boundaries through communication, and focused entirely on maintaining loving relationships while respecting different beliefs.

Amy didn’t search for divine messages about family dynamics but treated relationship challenges as interpersonal issues requiring emotional intelligence and professional guidance. Her family harmony came through evidence-based communication strategies, boundary-setting workshops, and gradually building mutual respect through sustained relational work rather than spiritual separation.

When Rachel finally sought similar family counseling, she discovered that healthy relationship navigation required understanding psychological dynamics and communication patterns rather than trusting that obedience to spiritual convictions would bring divine insight into family situations.

Where was the spiritual understanding that obedience to divine messages was supposed to guarantee? Where was God revealing deeper truths through her willingness to follow spiritual convictions regardless of social consequences?

The wisdom that actually helped came through accepting the complexity of family psychology and focusing on evidence-based relationship skills, not through believing that obedience to perceived divine promptings would unlock spiritual knowledge. The silence where divine understanding was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no God sending messages that required obedient response for spiritual insight.

Only human psychological patterns and family dynamics that required professional understanding and communication skills to navigate successfully.

Reflection Question: When has understanding family psychology and communication skills been more effective than obeying perceived divine messages about relationships?

Legal Protection: A Response to July 25th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “Am I Blessed Like This?”, promises that the Beatitudes contain “the dynamite of the Holy Spirit” that “explode when the circumstances of our lives align,” claiming that the Spirit will apply these teachings to specific circumstances and create “tremendous upheaval” as believers allow the Holy Spirit to “get his way” with them.

Here’s what waiting for the Holy Spirit to apply the Beatitudes to difficult circumstances actually delivered:

“The Beatitudes contain spiritual dynamite,” his Bible study leader explained with conviction. “When circumstances align, the Spirit will show you how to be meek and poor in spirit. Let the Holy Spirit get his way with you, even if it means tremendous upheaval.”

Kevin faced escalating workplace harassment from his supervisor—public humiliation, impossible deadlines, verbal abuse. The promise that the Holy Spirit would apply Jesus’s teachings about being blessed through persecution seemed like divine guidance for handling his abusive work situation.

Kevin embraced this spiritual approach completely. Instead of documenting harassment incidents or consulting with HR, he waited for the Holy Spirit to apply Jesus’s teachings about being meek and blessed through persecution to his specific circumstances. He believed the promised spiritual dynamite would explode with divine guidance for handling his abusive supervisor.

For months, Kevin endured escalating workplace abuse while expecting the Spirit to reveal how the Beatitudes applied to his situation. When colleagues suggested filing formal complaints or seeking legal advice, Kevin declined, believing this would prevent the Holy Spirit from getting his way and forming his spiritual walk through suffering.

But the promised spiritual dynamite was workplace destruction disguised as biblical obedience.

Kevin’s passive application of the Beatitudes enabled his supervisor’s abuse to escalate while he waited for divine guidance that never came. The tremendous upheaval that was supposed to result from Spirit-led obedience never materialized—only continued harassment and professional damage. The Holy Spirit’s application of ancient teachings to modern workplace abuse was completely absent.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s colleague Diana approached similar workplace harassment with zero expectation of spiritual solutions through biblical application. When Diana faced hostile treatment from the same supervisor, she immediately documented incidents, consulted with employment attorneys, filed formal complaints with HR.

Diana’s approach involved established legal protections and professional advocacy rather than expecting the Holy Spirit to apply ancient teachings to modern workplace situations. Her systematic response to harassment created actual upheaval—for the supervisor, who was eventually disciplined and required to undergo management training.

When Kevin finally followed Diana’s example and sought professional help, he discovered that workplace harassment required legal intervention and professional advocacy, not spiritual applications of the Beatitudes.

Where was the spiritual dynamite that was supposed to explode when circumstances aligned? Where was the Holy Spirit applying Jesus’s teachings to his specific workplace abuse?

The real transformation came through using employment law protections rather than waiting for divine application of biblical principles. The silence where spiritual guidance was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no Holy Spirit applying ancient teachings to modern workplace problems.

Only legal protections and professional advocacy that actually worked when systematically applied to harassment situations.

Reflection Question: When has using legal protections and professional advocacy been more effective than waiting for the Holy Spirit to apply biblical teachings to difficult circumstances?

Systematic Accountability: A Response to July 24th

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “Disposition and Deeds”, promises that Jesus Christ can “put his own disposition into anyone” through supernatural grace, claiming that disciples become “good in their motives” with Christ’s redemption creating “purity” that allows believers to “stand in the eternal light of God and have nothing for God to censure.”

Here’s what waiting for Jesus to put his disposition into you and purify your motives actually delivered:

“Stop focusing on behavior modification,” his accountability partner advised with spiritual certainty. “Jesus can put his own disposition into you. Let him alter your heredity and make your motives pure. Then right actions will flow naturally from right being.”

Marcus struggled with recurring dishonesty in his business dealings—inflating invoices, misleading clients about timelines, taking credit for others’ work. The promise of supernatural character transformation through divine disposition change seemed far better than the difficult work of implementing practical accountability systems.

Marcus embraced this promise completely. Instead of creating practical accountability systems or seeking professional help for his ethical problems, he prayed for Jesus to change his disposition and purify his motives. He believed that divine heredity alteration would eliminate his tendency toward dishonesty without requiring behavioral strategies.

For months, Marcus waited for the promised inner transformation while continuing his unethical business practices. When he lied to clients or inflated expenses, he justified it as evidence that Christ’s disposition hadn’t yet fully taken hold. The supernatural grace that would make him pure in motives would eventually prevent these moral failures.

But the promised divine disposition change was ethical destruction disguised as spiritual growth.

Marcus’s dishonest patterns continued despite faithful belief in supernatural character alteration. His business relationships deteriorated as clients discovered his misleading practices, and his reputation suffered while he waited for Jesus to purify his motives from within. The divine heredity that was supposed to alter his character was completely absent when ethical choices mattered.

Meanwhile, Marcus’s colleague Jennifer approached her own ethical challenges with zero expectation of divine disposition change. When Jennifer recognized her tendency to exaggerate qualifications and oversell services, she didn’t wait for supernatural motive purification but implemented systematic accountability measures.

Jennifer worked with a business ethics coach, established clear communication protocols with clients, created transparency systems that prevented misleading practices. Her character development came through conscious effort, peer accountability, structured business practices rather than supernatural transformation.

When Marcus finally adopted similar practical approaches, he discovered that ethical business conduct required intentional systems and ongoing accountability, not divine heredity alteration.

Where was the divine disposition that was supposed to be put into him to make his motives pure? Where was the supernatural grace that would create right being leading to right actions?

The character change that actually worked came through professional guidance and systematic behavior modification, not divine transformation. The silence where Christ’s disposition was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no supernatural motive purification available through redemption.

Only human accountability systems and professional ethics development that actually prevented dishonest behavior when consistently applied.

Reflection Question: When has implementing practical accountability systems been more effective than waiting for divine disposition change to purify your motives?

Character Development: A Response to July 23rd

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “The Life Side of Sanctification”, promises that believers can receive “the perfections of Jesus Christ” imparted “instantly” through faith, claiming that sanctification involves Christ’s “holiness, patience, love, faith, purity, and godliness” being manifested through believers and gradually developing “a life of indescribable order and sanity.”

Here’s what waiting for Christ’s perfections to be imparted instantly actually delivered:

“Stop trying to imitate Jesus,” his mentor advised with spiritual confidence. “Let his perfections be imparted to you instantly. His holiness, patience, and purity can be manifested through you. You’ll gradually develop indescribable order and sanity through Christ in you.”

Pastor James felt overwhelmed by his moral failures and character flaws—anger issues with church members, relational problems with staff, persistent struggles with lustful thoughts. The promise of instant spiritual transformation through divine impartation seemed like exactly what he needed to overcome these persistent character issues.

James embraced this promise completely. Instead of working on practical character development or seeking counseling for his anger and relational problems, he waited for Christ’s perfections to be imparted to his life. He believed that sanctification would gradually manifest Jesus’s holiness through him without requiring personal effort or professional guidance.

For months, James expected to experience supernatural patience with difficult church members, divine love for people who annoyed him, Christ’s purity replacing his lustful thoughts. When he continued struggling with the same character issues, he intensified his faith efforts, believing the impartation would eventually manifest the life of “indescribable order and sanity.”

But the promised divine impartation was spiritual fantasy that prevented real growth.

James’s anger problems persisted, his relational difficulties continued, his moral struggles remained unchanged despite faithful belief in instant sanctification. The perfections of Jesus that were supposed to be available to him remained completely absent from his actual experience. Christ’s holiness, patience, and purity were nowhere to be found in his daily interactions.

Meanwhile, James’s friend David approached personal growth with zero expectation of divine character impartation. When David recognized his own anger and relationship issues, he began anger management counseling, practiced mindfulness techniques, worked systematically on communication skills through therapy.

David’s character development involved consistent effort, professional guidance, gradual improvement through proven psychological techniques. He didn’t expect instant impartation of divine perfections but worked steadily on developing actual emotional regulation and interpersonal skills.

When James finally sought similar professional help, he discovered that lasting character change required sustained effort and practical techniques, not faith in divine impartation.

Where were Christ’s perfections that were supposed to be imparted instantly? Where was the gradual manifestation of divine holiness and patience through his sanctified life?

The “life of indescribable order” that actually emerged came through learning emotional intelligence and healthy coping strategies, not through divine impartation. The silence where Christ’s perfections were supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no divine character impartation available through faith.

Only human development through evidence-based methods that actually worked when consistently applied.

Reflection Question: When has working on character development through proven methods been more effective than waiting for divine perfections to be imparted instantly?

Healthy Connection: A Response to July 22nd

This is part of my year-long series exploring human-centered alternatives to the spiritual promises in Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. Today’s entry, “The Death Side of Sanctification”, promises that believers can achieve “sanctification” through identifying with Jesus’s death, claiming that the Spirit will “strip me until I have nothing left but myself” and that willingness to be “simply ready for death” leads to being “sanctified wholly” with Christ becoming “him in me.”

Here’s what pursuing sanctification through spiritual death and stripping away attachments actually delivered:

“You need to be stripped until you have nothing left,” his spiritual director explained with intense conviction. “Let Jesus crucify your old life. Be willing to hate even family relationships if they interfere with discipleship. Hand your naked self over to God, and he will sanctify you wholly.”

Mark felt spiritually stagnant in his faith and desperately wanted the complete sanctification that seemed to require radical spiritual death. The promise of being made wholly one with Jesus through systematic self-destruction felt like the breakthrough he needed.

Mark embraced this approach completely. He began systematically “dying to self” by withdrawing from friendships, ending his romantic relationship, distancing himself from family members who didn’t share his spiritual intensity. He believed this stripping process would lead to complete sanctification and freedom from unholy attachments.

For months, Mark pursued spiritual death through isolation and rejection of human connections that might compete with his devotion to Jesus. When loneliness and depression set in, he interpreted these as signs that the sanctification process was working—he was being reduced to nothing but himself to be handed over to God.

But the promised sanctification was psychological destruction disguised as spiritual growth.

Instead of experiencing Christ “in him,” Mark became increasingly isolated, mentally unstable, emotionally damaged. His systematic destruction of relationships created profound depression rather than spiritual freedom. The “death side” of sanctification was producing actual psychological death rather than divine transformation.

Meanwhile, Mark’s friend David approached spiritual growth with zero expectation of sanctification through relational death. When David felt spiritually stuck, he joined a service organization, deepened friendships, began dating someone who shared his values but challenged his thinking.

David’s spiritual vitality grew through connection rather than isolation, through engaging with others rather than stripping away relationships. His sense of purpose and meaning expanded through loving relationships and meaningful work, not through spiritual death to attachments.

When Mark finally sought therapy for severe depression, his counselor helped him understand that healthy spiritual growth requires connection, not isolation.

Where was the sanctification that was supposed to come through being stripped to nothing? Where was Christ dwelling in him after he’d handed over his naked self to God?

The breakthrough came when Mark began rebuilding the relationships he’d destroyed in pursuit of sanctification. David’s approach—spiritual growth through healthy connections—had produced the vitality and purpose that Mark’s spiritual death had promised but never delivered.

The silence where divine sanctification was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no spiritual transformation through death to self. Only human connection and healthy relationships that actually nourished spiritual growth.

Reflection Question: When has building healthy relationships been more spiritually nourishing than pursuing spiritual death through isolation and detachment?