Spiritual Clusters

“Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him, who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” Eph. 4:15-16.

Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of my father-in-law’s passing over into heaven.  He suffered with Alzheimer’s and lived the final year of his life with us.  I was amazed at how differently the body responded to an unhealthy brain.  A healthy brain is the guiding force for a healthy body.  The brain of an Alzheimer patient shows an excess of certain proteins that form clusters resulting in cognitive misfires and disconnects in the brain.  Where there are disconnects in the brain there in inappropriateness in the behavior.  Where goes the mind, the body follows.

I drew a parallel this morning while considering Christ being the Head of the body – the church.  I don’t believe it is mere coincidence that Christ was named the Head as that is where the mind resides.  When we are spiritually unhealthy our mind tends to become divided, and barriers to our relationship with God are formed.  Some of our spiritual clusters are made up of bitterness and judgmental attitudes towards others which cause our behavior to disconnect from love.  Some clusters involve fears that send messages to our faith that God is not enough to accomplish that which we are called.  Our spiritual attitude and behavior will not be fully healthy until we allow the Head of believers – Christ Jesus – to take over our mind and align our thoughts to Him. 

‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God’ Col. 3:1-3.

When we align our thinking with the mind of Christ we become more capable of adjusting our behavior with the character of Christ.  Every thought and action will be held together and supported by the Head of believers – Jesus Christ.  When in concert everything will become attached as one and grown up into a beautifully formed spiritual life.