Truth Prevails

I happened upon the Oprah show this week. An author named Elizabeth Gilbert talked about her book Eat Pray Love. I have not read the book and probably will not as it seems a little new age in nature. (New Age is all about us becoming our own god). Now I do not know of this woman or her spiritual state. My comments are a result of a 30 min. observation from what she said on the show. Her relationship with God is between her and Him.

She talked about being depressed before and after her divorce. As a result she went in search of God and the meaning of her life. She took a spiritual type journey that involved travel to distant lands. She believed God directed her through this journey and led her into the joy, peace and love she now lives. Looks good and sounds good.

But one thing bothered me about the journey, no mention of Christ. She never referred to our savior as the answer to her life's quest nor as the result of her spiritual journey. As Christians we know that Christ is the way the truth and the life. We know that no one comes to the Father except by way of Christ and that He is to be glorified.

She has had great success with this book. I believe the success is due to the deep hunger people have for the supernatural touch of God, a touch that makes us all whole. Connection to Christ, a connection through repentance and acceptance of His work on the cross comes as a result of complete surrender to Him at some point. This type of salvation experience involves personally inviting Christ into our lives as Lord and Savior. This type of devotion to Christ was not mentioned during the interview.

I also noticed that her relationship with God took a lot of work. Meditation, deep searching, much travel and a hope that she would experience Him. Scripture tells us a relationship with God comes as a result of Him reaching down to us not us reaching up to Him. He orchestrates communication, presence, salvation and all the fruits of His Spirit are imparted to us. He is continually reaching out to us and talking to us. He does the work, we respond. This journey looked like a work done totally by her.

The thing I did appreciate about her talk is that Truth prevails. It was as if she stumbled upon bits of truth the Bible freely delivers and has delivered for centuries. Even though these truths were shared, I noticed glory was misplaced. She did not acknowledge Christ as Lord. It was more about her personal happiness, about self. Surrender to a Lord that supplies all our needs did not happen. Maybe that is another reason the world loves this book so much. They get a few treasures from truth but never have to bow down before the One who is Truth.

Listed below are the truths that were talked about on the program:

• Meditation: Her method referred to being still and smiling from the inside out. I would add "Lord, speak to me." Getting still and closing out the world. Placing our heart and mind on Scripture and then on God as we listen to His heart. The Bible says: be still and know I am God
• Ask yourself what do you really, really really want to do. I would say this: ask yourself what you treasure. Matt 6:21 Where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
• Write down your happiest moment of each day. I liked this point the best. Phil 4:8 think on that which is pure, lovely, true, of good report....
• Change and refine what you say about yourself. I would say: Make sure what you think about yourself agrees with what God says about you. The Bible says: What a man thinks of himself that is who he becomes. As Christians we are Children of God, we are His treasure.

Elizabeth Gilbert was delightful to listen to and watch. She is young and beautiful and full of life. Though I have not read any of her books, I believe from the way she talks she must be zestful, humorous and sincere.

One thing I know. If ever in doubt or in confusion about where the truth lies, look to Christ. Every knee must bow to Christ and every tongue must confess that He is Lord. Anything else is a lie and not from Him.