Christianity also places focus on the individual rewards-individual savior-personal relationship with Jesus-in very high place in its core teachings. It begs the question as to what societal value Christianity has in the world, the community and among their own fellowships. There must be more than getting “saved” (most people achieve salvation by repeating a prayer never mentioned in the Bible) and hanging in there waiting for the glorious return of a Messiah that will come for His believers and melt the face off of everyone that does not believe.
In the study of Kabbalah, we teach that each person has a two-fold mission during their lifetime. The first, is a transformation of their own soul, called Tikkun Ha-Nefesh, the “mending or repairing of our souls”. The second mission is using our own transformation for the benefit of others, this is known as Tikkun Olam or “repairing the world”. Both these missions are done with the assistance and cooperation of God, working with Him to fulfill our part of the equation. Simply put, God has a plan and purpose for each of our lives, greater than the idea of a “personal” and often “self-serving” faith.
Part of the confusion stems from poor theology, especially a theology that constantly belittles the believer, describing us as inconsequential specks of dust in a universe in which distances are measured in light-years and the number of stars exceeds the limits of our imagination. This sense of individual “smallness” lends itself to our linear thinking, failing to see how we are all connected in what I call a “holistic continuum”. We don't see ourselves connected to the pain and suffering of others (especially when the “others” are immigrants or people we have viewed as evil) and we spend our time in our own little stew of our own little making.
We need to understand that we don't just need to see the bigger picture, but that we are connected and created to participate and impact the bigger picture. We are not just a spirit, we are a soul. We are not names, we are not addresses and telephone numbers, we are not just an accumulation of human experiences, but we are and contain inside of us the Sparks of the Divine, the “God” particle so to speak, created in the Image of the Almighty. When we begin to move in this understanding, when we begin to embrace that transformation is not a personal only, but a chance to make the whole of the world better, we will begin to grow in God.
For many Christians, asking for “anointing” and “outpourings” and “mantles” and “miracles” is a regular and accepted practice. The question is this; What would you do with these things? What point and purpose would there be in God extending His power to us if we choose to not use it for the Repairing of the World? People can want these things, but I have to ask, what work are you willing to do to achieve them?
It amazes me for a people that believe God is with them, that God created them in His image, they feel the need to call down God acting as if He is not already with them. You don't need a prophet to come tell you how to get there, you need a pastor/teacher that can help you raise the sparks of the Divine that you already posses.
Each time you obey a commandment of God, each time you worship God, each time you perform an act of kindness and compassion, you elevate the sparks inside your soul. You begin to mend the tear of your soul-the part of you that is not like God. And you also elevate the people around you. It is impossible to raise the sparks in your soul and not help repair the world at the same time.
In modern life, we often learn to cultivate and glorify the negative. Most radio talk shows and news channels epitomize this process. The Rabbis and Sages have taught us that negativity separates us from humanity and God. When was the last time you heard negativity and thought, wow, God would love to hear more of this!!!
The Talmud (an ancient collection of Jewish wisdom writings) says, “These are the precepts whose fruits a person enjoys in this world but whose principle remains intact for him or her in the World to Come. They are honoring your father and mother, acts of loving-kindness, early attendance at the house of study, hospitality to guests, visiting the sick, providing for a bride, absorption in prayer and bringing peace to fellow human beings”
This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but it illustrates how we can elevate our souls-begin the mending process-and at the same time share the Light of the Creator with the World, helping to repair the breach. Imagine a world where repair is the foremost concern of the followers of God.
My friends, I believe that the Christian Faith Practice is at its best when is is not self-serving or self-consumed, but when it is training its adherents to elevate the sparks of their souls to the purpose and benefit of those around them.
Nothing more powerfully explains this idea than Ephesians 2:10 that boldly claims
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Created for good works-not just good times or good worship, but good works. You are a unique soul, designed and delivered here on this planet to do good works. You are a divinely created human, with a soul that elevates when you obey, when you assist God in His mission of Tikkun Olam....
David Fournier in the Senior Instructor at Restoring Grace. David teaches classes on Hebraic Perspectives, Jewish Mysticism (Kabbalah), Early Christian Communities and New Testament Formations and Canon. David is available for your church, youth group, seminars and retreats. Email David at: dfour26@gmail.com
