I’ve been thinking about the term “mystic” lately. The definition goes like this: “a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.” I just spent three years in a school of supernatural ministry. Now you’d think it would be full of “mystics” right? But you know what? It’s not. Sure there are many there who are mystics. But there are a lot more who mistake outward “manifestations” with mysticism. Now listen, these manifestations (muscle tics, crunches, shaking, vocal tics and various other physical affectations) CAN be signs of the supernatural in operation. They can also be copied rather easily, and in a groupthink environment this happens a lot more than most would care to admit. Sometimes I get concerned in environments like these when I see this behavior mimicked so as to give the one manifesting some kind of enhanced status. Because it does seem like the ones who do this get more attention right? If I am in a room of 60 students and there is ministry going on, who gets the attention? The person sitting quietly having a deep encounter? Or the one who is shaking and bobbing and shouting vocal tics? This reinforces the idea that manifestations are spiritual and must mean Holy Spirit is on that person. Of course it MAY mean that Holy Spirit is on that person. But it may also mean that person is crying out for attention. We need discernment.

Being a mystic means you seek to explore the deeper things of God. You are past using God to achieve some goal. You are past looking to leaders and gifted people as being “spiritual”. You are past chasing the elusive thing called “revival”, which always just seems out of reach. You are past smoke machines and light shows. You are past tithing for blessings. You are past sermon after endless sermon. Sure it will involve the supernatural. Sure there may be physical manifestations. The may be trances and visions. There will be encounters with God. You are looking for the genuine expression of God, the real deal. Know what the best thing you can do is? Look in the mirror.