Without spiritual intelligence, we are dysfunctional and inadequate

Covid-19 carries a social construction with different meanings for different people hence for some it is a manifestation of pain and suffering whereas for others it is a portal with new opportunities and possibilities. It is disheartening for instance that some are exposed to gender based violence hence our empathetic engagement demands digging for more given the range of dysfunctional behaviours in our families. As we do that, we should also recognize that our weapons are different for we do not have to murmur and complain for soldiers of Christ must ‘put on the full or whole armour of God so that we may all stand rooted against the wiles which include schemes and strategies of the devil and or the evil one (Ephesians 6:11).

One key observation is that we have managed to appreciate intellectual, social, financial, entrepreneurial, technological, kinesthetic and emotional forms of intelligence. Notwithstanding, our patterns of learning have paid little if any attention to spiritual intelligence hence mankind is indulging in dysfunctional addictions for various reasons to gratify these deeper seated inadequacies. Some of the mental health issues we experience include sexual immorality, pornography, substance and drug addiction, anxiety and depression, seductive manipulations are just a reflection of spiritual bankruptcy.

A fundamental question is where is the place for spiritual intelligence and how do we appropriate its conceptualisation in a way that allows its influence to present a balanced process in human development. Spiritual intelligence then includes selfawakening with spiritual illumination that transcends secular and worldly patterns and this may challenge common standards of understanding our being. We arise in raising the supreme and sovereign being as a place where the totality of our being rests and locates this as the foundation for our homeostatic balance for God has put eternity in our hearts.

Our spiritual development cannot be left to chance granted that the family, faith and traditional community remain as social institutions entrusted with instillation of values and belief systems. A lot more still needs to be done given the huge gap existing as we navigate the terrain for social ills demanding unpacking the collective structure for spiritual guidance. Spiritual intelligence is certainly one huge area as we recognize that ‘there shall come forth a rod of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of His roots: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge of the fear of the Lord’ (Isaiah 11:1-2).

Let us appreciate that it takes a decision to rationally and intuitively become sensitive as we promote multidisciplinary approaches given that the one-size-fits-all model of engagement cannot always work. Moreover, an introspective search of self with respect for value clarification and purpose with key instruments of engagement that have integrated influencers and indicators for success is an imperative. The Body of Christ needs to arise in setting support structures that are instrumental in changing and or supporting the inner balance with relevance at personal, familial, community, national and global level and all shall arise and shine for the glory of God is upon us all!!!