Authentic Spirituality

The most spiritual people I have ever met always have been very down to earth. Theirs is not some phony, head-in-the-clouds sort of spirituality, which is weird religion and mysticism. I have met people who try to come off as extremely spiritual, even in the way they talk. It doesn’t impress me.

On the other hand, I have had the opportunity to meet and spend time with some very godly people. I have always found from our times together that the most godly people are also the most fun. They are the most real. They are the most straightforward and honest, and they are quick to admit their own shortcomings. (That is a virtue, not a flaw.)

God called David a man after His own heart (see Acts 13:22). And if you want to know what made David tick, just read his psalms. In Psalm 34 he wrote, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (verse 1).

We know that David had a deep hunger for God and a strong commitment to do what was right. He wrote in Psalm 57, "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise" (verse 7). That was David’s heart: focused, not fickle, meditative, yet brave and courageous. He dialed in on something and stayed with it.

In many ways, David was the very opposite of his predecessor, King Saul. Saul came from a loving home, while David apparently came from a home where he was neglected and even disliked. Saul was attractive on the outside, but inside he was vain, shallow, and devoid of true integrity. In contrast, David had a deep spiritual life and an intense devotion to God.

God is looking for authentically spiritual people.