I have enjoyed studying saints and mystics for decades. While their writings have provided insights both materially and spiritually, in my estimation they have remained silent on several important points regarding one’s relationship with God. Many saints and mystics have also intentionally avoided public appearances.
Scripture provides insights into the major points of intimacy with God, but some of it feels coded or hidden behind poetic imagery. My pragmatic mind has been confused at times. Prompting me to ask, “Why haven’t the Saints and Apostles mentioned details more clearly?”
Over the years, a few of the reasons Saints and the Apostles appear to be silent on the milestones of relationship with God have been revealed. These include:
Keepers: Organizational edits, the churches and communities responsible for upholding a saint’s legacy may have edited or deleted some of their insights that contradict the organization’s goals or dogma. Sometimes there are more complete writings which are shared later.
Intimacy: Every relationship with God is unique. As the relationship between the individual soul and the omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent Spirit deepens, it becomes intimate in ways humans are not familiar with due to lack of their own direct experience. To talk openly about the intimacy feels wrong, even when directed to do so.
Never asked: Perhaps, no one asked the Saint directly for clarification. No one prayed to God to get answers even through the limited form of a Saint or an Apostle. Or those who asked had selfish or demonic intentions and didn’t receive an answer.
Expectations: The answers and insights provided by a Saint may not be what materialistic humans expect. Very few individuals truly seek a relationship with God and even fewer make a consistent daily, nightly, 24/7 effort to build this relationship.
Temptation: The idea of “bearing one’s cross” is a complex burden. When a Saint openly shares one’s personal relationship with Christ there is another set of challenges, temptations and responsibilities. When words of inspiration or correction impact others, the Saint’s personal role in that individual’s life expands, even if they have yet to meet in person. The Saint may be tempted by the power this new dynamic presents.
Obstacle: God seeks a personal relationship with each individual. When one becomes devoted to a Saint it is on some level a rejection of God. The devotion must be given by the Saint to God. The devoted person must be clear that they are using the Saint’s image as a stepping stone not a destination.
While in human form it is difficult to picture what a relationship with omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence looks or feels like. Christ Jesus is the human expression of God. Saints follow in the footsteps of Christ but do not replace him. Christians would be wise to focus on Christ. However, saints may offer a more immediate access and a tangible example of God’s presence.
Consider an unfaithful military wife whose husband is deployed for months on end in foreign service. For immediate comfort, she may turn to her husband’s best friend who is present and easily available. She doesn’t have the self-control to patiently wait for her husband to return. This is similar to the aspiring disciple of Christ Jesus who chooses to spend an inordinate amount of effort on a saint rather than patiently waiting on Christ for a direct response. The saint is aware that the devotion is misplaced, and Christ Jesus holds back until the would-be disciple moves forward by their own choice.
Persecution: Appear too Christ-like and people will clamor to the Saint for healing, for personal guidance and for intercession. When disciples start to worship the Saint, instead of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit, the path to complete liberation for the Saint becomes very narrow.
Those who worship others, including celebrities and athletes not just saints, approach the person of their adoration with a complex set of personal expectations. Worldly devotees have a long list of what a Saint would or wouldn’t, should or shouldn’t do. When expectations for healing or moral behaviors are not met, the egotistical devotees likely will turn against the Saint.
If a Saint expresses phenomenal powers detailed in the Bible, politicians and worldly leaders may feel threatened. Witnesses to exceptional power, the worldly persecute and often will martyr the Saint.
Advanced Saints of Christ may remain aloof for all of the above reasons. The greatest reason is likely because they are obeying the direction of God to serve him in cloistered silence.
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