New Age? Self discovery?

[dgolvach]

Here is a question? I understand that in Christianity we are to seek to know God. I also know that in some "New Age'' circles , self discovery is promoted. I don't know about doing all the ''New Age" rituals but do any here believe that trying to get in touch with or just being honest with yourself can be a good thing. Sometimes I believe I need a good sit down chat with myself because I tend to get lost trying to play from the scripts that others have written. Monkey see...Monky do...What am I really trying to do with my life? Why am I unhappy? What am I doing right? ??????????????????????????

Dan

[nebula]

I believe in Scripture this would be called "searching your heart."

"Self discovery" in and of itself is not New Age - it's how you do it and why.

With New Age, self discovery is their path to enlightenment, or whatever they want to call it.

With Christianity, self dicovery is evaluating your spiritual life, asking the Lord to uncover any sin in your life, discovering your gifts and calling, stuff like that.

What you need to keep in mind, though, is that self-discovery is not the end (as in New Age) but a means. Christianity is about laying your life down, sacrificing, putting others first, servanthood, following the Lord's direction when you hear it. According to Scripture, we are rewarded according to what we have done, not according to what we have become.

For years I struggled with "knowing myself" and knowing God's call and direction in my life, and all that. But someone praying over me said she saw me as a lamb walking right beside the Shepherd Jesus, looking at Him with this puzzled look of, "Am I where I belong?" The answer was, "Yes! You are right beside Jesus. That is where you belong."

It would be another few years before I felt a sense of direction in my life as to what to do career-plan wise. Although I do not know or understand fully why the years of wandering was necesary, that word given did carry me through and helped me not to worry quite so much.

We may never find satisfaction in career pursuits and things our society deems valuable. But that is not what the Lord has us here for, I have learned.

You want fulfillment? Be the best minister you can to your family, to your friends, to your co-workers, and any other who is around you. And sometimes, ministries are not callings we hear, but opportunities that knock at our door. That's how my brother started getting involved with a youth ministry. Some people just saw a need that stirred their hearts and simply started doing something about it.

Does that answer your heart?

[dgolvach]

Yes ...it goes quite far. Thankyou

God Bless

Dan

[Keith]

Dan,

Just remember not to mix your "self-discovery" with your yoga. Keep your yoga as just exercise and keep your "self-discoveries" in line with the Word. New age is all about "self."