One of the most significant struggles I have experienced in my spiritual journey has been reconciling my Christian faith with my gift of psychic mediumship. Throughout my childhood, I heard from family and preachers that what I could do was a sin, messages from Satan and demons, and in interacting with it I was somehow doing the devil's work. These notions put me firmly in the "Psychic Closet". I didn't want to do the devil's work. I didn't want to be damned to hell. So I hid and repressed my gift as best I could.
My experience is far from unusual. Most, if not all people with spiritual gifts have faced this stigma. If it is not doing the devil's work, then we are insane. If we are not insane, then we are con artists. So often enough to write about it, people have asked me how could I possibly be Christian if I am a medium. The answer is surprisingly simple. Why shouldn't I be?
What people fail to remember or recognize is that the Bible is filled with people who have spiritual gifts. People with the ability to hear and translate God's words, people who perform miracles, and people through varying practices such as baptism, healing, and foresight bring the people around them closer to God. Why would such gifts have ceased to exist? God's work is done in many ways, and some of those ways just might involve gifts we cannot understand scientifically. So why not my mediumship?
In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he calls out that God distributes spiritual gifts, including mediumship. The New Testament actually confirms that people with these abilities are part of God's greater plan. We are not condemned in the world of forgiveness Jesus gave his life for, people like me are called out for our blessings from God.
People like me are not condemned. We are part of God's work on Earth.
I have been lucky enough to have this confirmed by the pastors at my Church. I was compelled by spirit to tell them, and I was given a warm embrace and comfort. They too confirmed that spiritual gifts exist, and they do not exclude me from God's table. I am just as loved by God as I am as I would be without them. Their words were a soothing balm I didn't realize I had needed. A piece of my heart that had been broken and grown cynical was renewed and I finally found my way back fully to my Christian faith.
Since then I have looked for other examples of God working through people in different ways - ways in which I had grown up thinking were worth of condemnation.
Recently, I had the great pleasure and honor to meet the 3 Appalachian Witches, a pair of sisters, Misty and Ashley Conner, and their "Para-mom", Pat Bussard O'Keefe, who hail from the Appalachian mountains, as you might expect. Rooted in the magical practices of the mountains, these three witches are also Christian, with a deep belief in the word of God. Their Christianity is integral to all they do, bringing light, healing, and connection to all those who seek them out. Sure, they are witches, and we all know what the Bible says about that in the Old Testament. But is this not just another iteration of spiritual gifts from God? Their ability to use all that God has created to bring good to the world couldn't possibly be evil - and they are some of the kindest people I have ever met. Just like "psychic medium", the word, "witch" is so heavily stigmatized, we fail to see God's work in it. He guides their path just as he guides mine.
So what does this all come to? What is the point of this rambley post? To be honest, I am not entirely sure. These thoughts and reconciliations are part of my spiritual journey in better understanding my faith, what I see God's hand in, and what previous perceptions should be reevaluated.
This post is a glimpse into my personal spiritual journey of growth. I cannot emphasize enough how important this type of growth, evaluation, and introspection is. If you take anything away from this, I hope it is to keep an open mind in everything. The world is much more complicated than we think it is, and once you accept that, suddenly you see the complexity - and for Christians, the hand of God and love of Jesus in everything.
So yes, I am a psychic medium and a Christian. And I thank God for the blessing he gave me as it allows me to bring connection, healing, and growth to everyone I meet.
Comments