Undevoted – Page 3 – God or Delusion?

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?

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.

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?

Practical Skills: A Response to July 21st

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 Gateway to the Kingdom”, promises that believers who become “poor in spirit” and recognize their “total futility” will discover that Jesus can “put the disposition that ruled his own life into any life,” claiming that spiritual poverty leads to supernatural character transformation where Christ makes believers capable of living by his teachings.

Here’s what focusing on spiritual poverty and waiting for divine character transformation actually delivered:

“You need to recognize your total futility,” her pastor explained earnestly. “The Sermon on the Mount should produce despair until you’re truly poor in spirit. Only then can Jesus put his disposition into your life and make you what he teaches. Stop trying to be good and start recognizing your moral bankruptcy.”

Jennifer struggled with anger management and moral failures despite years of trying to follow Jesus’s teachings. The promise of supernatural character transformation through spiritual poverty seemed like the answer to her repeated behavioral failures and mounting self-frustration.

Jennifer embraced this teaching about spiritual poverty completely. Instead of working on practical anger management techniques or seeking professional help, she focused on recognizing her complete inability to follow Christ’s standards. She believed that accepting her moral futility would lead to supernatural transformation where Jesus would make her capable of living by his teachings.

For months, Jennifer dwelt in spiritual despair, convinced this was the necessary pathway to divine transformation. When she snapped at her children or lost her temper with coworkers, she interpreted it as evidence of the total futility that would eventually bring miraculous change.

But the promised spiritual transformation was psychological self-destruction disguised as spiritual growth.

Jennifer’s focus on moral bankruptcy created deeper shame and self-hatred without producing the supernatural character change she’d been promised. Her anger problems continued while her self-concept deteriorated through constant emphasis on spiritual poverty and futility. The divine disposition that was supposed to replace her natural tendencies never materialized.

Meanwhile, Jennifer’s friend Carlos approached his own behavioral struggles with zero expectation of supernatural character transformation. When Carlos recognized his tendency toward road rage and workplace conflicts, he didn’t seek spiritual poverty but professional anger management counseling.

Carlos learned practical techniques for recognizing triggers, managing stress, communicating more effectively. He didn’t wait for Jesus to put divine disposition into his life but developed actual skills through cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness practice, conflict resolution training.

When Jennifer finally sought similar professional help, she discovered that lasting behavioral change required practical strategies and sustained effort, not spiritual poverty leading to divine disposition implantation.

Where was the supernatural transformation that recognizing total futility was supposed to produce? Where was Jesus putting his disposition into her life to make her what he taught?

The transformation that actually worked came through learning emotional regulation skills rather than waiting for divine character change. Carlos’s improvement came through evidence-based techniques and professional guidance, not through spiritual despair and moral bankruptcy focus.

The silence where divine disposition was supposed to be implanted revealed the truth: there was no supernatural character transformation available through spiritual poverty. Only practical skills and professional guidance that actually changed behavior when consistently applied.

Reflection Question: When has learning practical life skills been more effective than focusing on spiritual poverty and waiting for divine character transformation?

Professional Competence: A Response to July 20th

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, “Dependent on God’s Presence”, promises that believers can “walk and not be faint” by remaining dependent on God’s constant presence, claiming that those who walk faithfully will be “secure in the knowledge that he is with us” and that God will alert believers when their decisions aren’t aligned with his will.

Here’s what walking faithfully and depending on God’s constant presence actually delivered:

“Walk faithfully before him,” his pastor advised confidently. “God is always there, guiding. He’ll alert you whenever your common-sense decisions aren’t in accordance with his will. You don’t need to constantly ask ‘Lord, tell me what to do’—just trust in his presence and walk secure in that knowledge.”

David was starting his small business and desperately wanted divine guidance for the overwhelming decisions ahead. The promise of God’s constant presence providing reliable guidance seemed far better than the uncertainty of conventional business planning and market research.

David embraced this spiritual framework completely. Instead of conducting market research or seeking professional business advice, he “walked faithfully” and waited for divine alerts when his intuitive choices weren’t aligned with God’s will. He believed the reality of God’s presence would provide better guidance than conventional business planning.

For the first year, David interpreted every positive outcome as confirmation of divine guidance and every setback as God’s mysterious plan. When a major client cancelled their contract, he remained “secure in God’s presence” rather than analyzing what went wrong. When cash flow problems emerged, he trusted divine guidance rather than consulting financial advisors.

But the promised divine presence was a business-destroying delusion.

God’s constant guidance never provided practical business solutions. David’s company struggled while he waited for spiritual alerts about wrong decisions that never came. His faith in divine presence prevented him from taking necessary corrective actions based on market feedback and financial realities.

Meanwhile, David’s friend Lisa launched her consulting business using entirely different principles. Lisa conducted thorough market research, sought advice from successful entrepreneurs, developed realistic business plans, continuously adjusted strategies based on client feedback and financial data.

Lisa didn’t expect divine presence to guide business decisions but relied on professional networks, industry knowledge, evidence-based planning. When problems arose, she addressed them immediately through practical solutions rather than waiting for spiritual guidance.

When David’s business finally failed after two years, he felt spiritually shattered. Where was the divine presence that was supposed to provide constant guidance? Where were the alerts when his decisions weren’t aligned with God’s will?

David’s breakthrough came when he realized that successful business required human expertise, not spiritual dependence. Lisa’s thriving consulting practice was built on professional competence and practical decision-making, not faith in divine presence providing guidance.

The silence where God’s constant presence was supposed to manifest revealed the truth: there was no divine guidance available for business decisions. Only human expertise, market research, and evidence-based planning that actually worked when consistently applied.

Reflection Question: When has relying on professional expertise and evidence-based planning been more effective than trusting in divine presence for guidance?

Healthy Boundaries: A Response to July 19th

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, “Authority over the Believer”, promises that believers who recognize Jesus’s “moral authority” will experience instant, eager obedience based on love, claiming that Christ’s life “created inside” believers produces automatic recognition of his “right to absolute authority” and that God educates people through those who are “holily better.”

Here’s what instant obedience to claimed spiritual authority actually delivered:

“Jesus has absolute authority over believers,” Pastor Robert explained to his leadership training class. “When you truly see the Lord, you can’t help but obey. Resistance to spiritual authority reveals unworthiness. God educates us through people who are ‘holily better’ until we learn proper submission.”

Seminary student Michael embraced this teaching completely. When senior pastors made decisions he questioned, he suppressed his concerns, believing that resistance revealed spiritual immaturity. When church leaders demanded unpaid labor and unquestioning compliance, Michael submitted eagerly, convinced this demonstrated his love for Christ through recognizing moral authority.

For two years, Michael accepted increasingly problematic behavior from church leadership—financial secrecy, emotional manipulation, authoritarian control—because he believed questioning spiritual authority meant rejecting Jesus himself. His instant obedience was supposedly evidence of spiritual growth and recognition of Christ’s worthiness.

But the promised spiritual development through submission was spiritual abuse disguised as discipleship.

Instead of growing in grace, Michael became anxious, spiritually confused, unable to distinguish between legitimate guidance and manipulation. His eager obedience to claimed spiritual authority enabled abuse rather than demonstrating love for Jesus. The moral authority he was recognizing was actually human manipulation using religious language.

Meanwhile, Michael’s friend Sarah approached spiritual community with zero assumption that religious leaders automatically represented Christ’s moral authority. When Sarah encountered controlling religious figures, she evaluated their behavior against principles of healthy leadership and ethical conduct.

Sarah’s approach involved questioning authority figures, seeking multiple perspectives, refusing to submit to demands that violated her conscience or wellbeing. She didn’t believe that spiritual maturity required instant obedience to human leaders claiming divine authority.

When Michael’s church leadership was eventually exposed for financial fraud and emotional abuse, he realized his spiritual submission had enabled harm rather than honoring Christ.

Where was the moral authority that was supposed to be worthy of instant recognition? Where was the spiritual growth that came from obeying those who were “holily better”?

Sarah’s supposedly “unworthy” resistance to problematic authority had protected her from manipulation that Michael’s “worthy” submission had facilitated.

Michael’s breakthrough came when he learned to distinguish between appropriate respect for legitimate leadership and the unhealthy submission that controlling religious figures demand. The moral authority that actually deserved recognition wasn’t claimed divine representation but demonstrated ethical conduct and transparent accountability.

The silence where Christ’s absolute authority was supposed to manifest through human leaders revealed the truth: there was no divine authority operating through spiritual manipulation. Only human power dynamics that required healthy boundaries, not eager submission.

Reflection Question: When has questioning authority been more spiritually healthy than assuming spiritual leaders represent Christ’s moral authority?