Late last week an invitation to attend the 12th Annual Natural Living Expo in Marlborough MA arrived in the morning mail. This large-scale event is scheduled to take place on November 10-11, 2018. Three keynote speakers will be featured along with 275 exhibits, 90 workshops, seven healthy food vendors, and much more. It is being billed as New England’s Largest Holistic Health Event.
Expo Exhibitors will include: Science of Spirituality Jyoti Meditation, Spirit Guided Portraits, Eckankar: Path of Spiritual Freedom, We All Have Souls, Brahma Kumaris Inner Space Meditation Café, and Shamanic Spirit Song.
Keynote addresses will focus on themes such as: Awakening Your Soul Purpose — Through the Twelve Chakra Gateways, and Bridging Two Realms: Learning to Communicate with the Other Side.
Workshops will focus on the following subjects, among others: Drawing in Spirit: A Demonstration of Mediumship and Spirit Art, Far Infrared Energy: Chi Gong and Spiritual Purification, The Divinity Within — Understanding Your Own Divinity.
Ads throughout the invitation-flyer include: Be In Divine Oneness, Allow In Divine Love, Flow in Your Spirit, Illuminate Your Light; Flying Phoenix Heavenly Healing Qigong; Angel Alignment; Akashic Soul Mastery; Tarot Reading; Psychic Medium; Reboot Your Brain; Usui-Tibetan Enhanced Karuna & Shamballa Reiki; and Mental and Emotional Cleansing.
Astounding. So much interest in spirituality — mostly based on Indian-Eastern, monistic, pantheistic, Buddhist, Hindu, occult, and New Age thought.
Yet as I explored the 44-page brochure I realized that there was not one mention of Jesus or historic Christian faith in the entire publication. Not even one.
So many people searching so very intently for physical and mental and spiritual health while so conspicuously avoiding Jesus in their search.
Why is this? Why has Jesus been effectively banned from New England’s largest gathering on whole-person health and happiness?
Jesus, sometimes known as the Great Physician, once said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b) Jesus offers love and genuine well-being to all who turn to Him (John 3:16-21).
A fascinating story in Matthew’s Gospel says: “When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to [Jesus] all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” (Matthew 1:32-34, NAS Bible)
If circumstances permitted, I would travel to Marlborough MA next month. I’d love to wade right into the middle of this marketplace of ideas and wellness-based alternatives — in a spirit of goodwill of, course — listening to seekers, exchanging with presenters, better understanding the thinking of promoters, and pointing people to the infinite-personal One who made us all. I’m convinced that it’s Jesus who alone can heal in the most profound sense of the word. How can any conference on well-being be ultimately regarded as legitimate without including Him — for without Him no one can or will ever truly experience “holistic” health.
