GROWING SPIRITUALLY, PART 5:  “WHAT NEXT?”

Psalm 27:4-14; John 15:4-11

November 16, 2008  ~ Rev. Janet Robertson Duggins

 

 

I love Psalm 27.  It speaks eloquently about our need and desire for connection with God, our longing for joy and meaning.  And it expresses a confident hope of seeing the goodness of God, not in the by-and-by but in this life.  I don’t always feel that, mind you.  But sometimes repeating those last couple verses of Psalm 27 helps me claim and live into that hope.  It sustains the journey of faith.

 

Paying attention to our journey of faith, or our spiritual life, with some desire and intention to grow, does NOT mean that we are living on some elevated spiritual plane instead of in the real world.

 

“If we want to meet the Divine on its own terms, we need to be receptive to what’s there, not what we think is supposed to be there.”      (Robert Corin Morris, p.35)

 

Robert Corin Morris says that we all have a “spiritual life” even when nothing that’s happening may feel very spiritual…  because our spiritual life simply has to do with how we approach people and events.  He says that even life’s frustrating moments engage us in spiritual choices:  

 

As we stew in emotions  – defensiveness, anger, frustration, helplessness -  we are engaged in a sort of spiritual practice – however unhelpful it may be to us or to others!   Of course in such times, with our first breath our tendency is to yell or curse or complain… but Morris says that what really matters is what we do with the second breath.    Choosing “blessing” instead of “cursing” – not just in words but in actions and attitudes – that is the spiritual challenge of everyday.  (Robert Corin Morris, p. 14-15)

 

I think we’d all like our lives to be about “blessing” the world and the people around us… but that’s not something you just do.  It’s a spiritual choice, which becomes more and more possible to us as we grow.   What’s hard is to figure out what can help us grow in that direction. 

 

I don’t presume to know what you need most right now for your journey of faith.  I am pretty sure that none of us have “arrived” yet, so I think it IS safe to say that we do all still have some growing to do.   This morning we are just going to think a little about what some of the possibilities might be.

 

Probably all of us ought to begin by asking God to show us what that next step might be.  It’ll be different for each of us, because the circumstances of our lives and our needs are different; we are different. 

 

It may be that there’s something burdening you which calls for attention because it’s in the way of growing spiritually:

It could be you need to forgive yourself or someone else

A negative behavior or too many mindless, time-wasting activities will crowd out the good, and for all of us there are times when a good honest look at ourselves will show us that our choices are impeding our growth.

Perhaps there is a problem for which you need to seek help because it’s keeping you from fully embracing the life you know God wants you to have.

 

If you have a sense that something of that kind is true for you, I would suggest facing that issue, whatever it is, and taking some steps to remove obstacles.

 

And then, what next?    Not sure where to start?   John Wesley, who is considered the father of the Methodist Church had some really good advice.  He said,  “Begin!  …Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow.  Do not starve yourself any longer.”   (John Wesley)

 

That’s good advice.  Sometimes we want to wait until we have it all figured out, until we know exactly what we want or have the perfect plan, or even until we’ve cleaned up our act a little.  What this amounts to is often little more than avoidance or procrastination… and nothing much happens.    Just begin.  Just do one thing.  Just take one step . 

 

It might be starting a new good habit:  praying every morning, saying “thank you” to God for blessings throughout the day, praying for those you love, reading the Bible, practicing kindness or listening or patience.

 

It could be seeking a better balance in your life, between work and rest, between care for yourself and caring for others, between the inner life and the outward actions, or along some other dimension.

 

It could be a more regular commitment to a spiritual discipline you already know: daily prayer, Sunday worship, relationships that support your faith, acts of service, study of scripture.

 

OR it could be an outside-your-comfort-zone challenge:  learning to sit quietly and pray for 10 minutes, if you are usually an active servant-type person;  befriending someone new, if you are an introvert; getting involved in serving others, if your natural tendency is to contemplation. 

 

Maybe it’s time to get involved in new learning: 

 

·        You could read through a book of the Bible.  The confirmation class is reading Luke.  If they can do it, so can you.

·        Read a book about spiritual growth

·        Explore a topic that connects your faith and life, whether it be a deep theological question or something more practical:  the relationship of faith and politics, or talking about faith with kids;  the history of Christianity, or prayer, or forgiveness.

·        Learn with others: find a buddy or a group or a class to share ideas with.

·        Ask somebody – like your pastors, maybe? – for ideas and resources.

·        Ask others about what following Jesus means to them; listen and learn.

 

Maybe there is something you are already doing that offers more room to grow spiritually than you have recognized.  What if you not only volunteered at the food pantry because it’s a good thing to do?  What if you tried to see the face of Christ in each person there?  or actively focused on “blessing” them? prayed for them by name?    What if you took regular scripture reading a step or two further – try memorizing some verses, read some commentaries to get different perspectives, share something that you’ve read with someone else.   What if instead of just “entertaining” friends in your home, you thought about those occasions as practicing Christian hospitality, which involves opening one’s heart as well as one’s door?  

 

Now, it may be that some of you are thinking that what you need to support you in growing spiritually is not so much a new step or two you can take, but a way to connect and make sense of various activities and practices and commitments that make up your life of faith.

 

I came across something that intrigued me so much I want to share it with you and invite you to think about it too.    Marjorie Thompson, in Soul Feast, suggests that a “Rule of Life” can provide a structure to support spiritual growth.

 

The idea has its roots in Christian monastic orders, but it’s been adopted and adapted by different individuals and groups over the years, and today the concept is being rediscovered and embraced by Christians of diverse traditions.

 

I know that the word “rule” may sound sort of dreary and restrictive… the phrase “rules and regulations” may come to mind, with overtones of the army, or the IRS, or school.   That’s not at all the idea.   A Rule of Life, in the Christian sense, is freely chosen, not imposed.

 

It’s not meant to establish a new legalism in place of trust in God’s grace.

 

Nor is it to suggest that spiritual growth is primarily something we do.  If we forget that it’s something God does in us, we will be in trouble.

 

It’s certainly not to enable us to think of ourselves as “better” Christians than others.

 

And a rule of life isn’t about setting an impossibly high standard you can’t attain…  it’s about finding a way of life that helps you live into your faith.     A structure can help us focus and overcome our tendency to wander without a clear purpose.

 

Kind of like what a trellis does for a vining plant.  In fact, I read that

 

“The meaning of rule comes from the Greek word for ‘trellis.’  A trellis is a tool designed to enable a grapevine to get off the ground and grow upward, becoming more fruitful and productive.  In the same way, a Rule of Life can be the trellis that helps us abide in Christ and become more fruitful spiritually.” (The New Life FellowshipChurch Rule of Life )

 

Rules of life are as different as people are;  they are as different as faith communities are.

 

Perhaps the most well-known is the Rule of St. Benedict, which governs Benedictine monasteries but is also practiced by others:

 

·        Listening

·        Prayer

·        Community

·        Humility

·        Balance

·        Work

·        Use of talents and creativity to benefit the community

·        Hospitality

·        Obedience

·        Peace

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. had a Rule to guide the nonviolent protestors of the civil rights movement; all the people who joined him in marches were asked to adhere to this Rule:

 

·        Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus

·        Remember that we seek justice and reconciliation not victory

·        Walk and talk in love, because God is love.

·        Pray to be used by God in order that all might be free

·        Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all might be free

·        Observe courtesy with friend and foe alike.

·        Perform regular service for others and the world

·        Refrain from all kinds of violence

·        Strive for good spiritual and physical health

·        Follow and respect the leaders

 

 

A more personal rule was followed by Dorothy Day, the founder of the Catholic Worker movement:

 

 

 

Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation encourages its members to follow a rule that goes like this:

 

 

A fellowship of Christians based in Ireland called the Northumbria Community follows a very simple Rule:

 

  Availability and Vulnerability.             (www.northumbriacommunity.org)

 

By availability, they mean both to God and to others -  in prayer, listening, hospitality, and mission.  Vulnerability means being teachable, speaking out and acting for justice even when doing so is risky, and being a “church without walls” in the world, allowing others outside the faith community to see the life of God in their lives.

 

I even came across a congregation that has a rule of Life:

 

 

(New Life FellowshipChurch, Queens, NY;  www.newlifefellowship.org)

 

 

You can see how different these Rules are, how each one belongs to and gives structure to the spirituality of a particular person or group… and yet they share a common sense of intentionality about making connections between faith and life.

 

Here’s my start on a Rule of Life:

 

·        Practice gratitude as much as possible

·        Breathe – Breathing deeply slows me down, calms me down, helps me pay attention.

·        Pray for the people I encounter each day

·        Read for learning, inspiration, connection (murder mysteries don’t count!)

·        A nice chunk of quiet peaceful time at least once a week that does not involve getting anything “done”

(Walking or cooking, which I enjoy could qualify; housecleaning or mindless TV probably doesn’t;  Two minute snatches don’t count, either!)

 

It’s just a start.  I need a little more thinking on it.  There are other things I’d like to add, but I’m resisting being too ambitious.  I hope some of you will take up this challenge and try to develop a “Rule” for yourselves, too.  I’d love to discuss it more with anybody who’d be interested – just let me know.

 

Marjorie Thompson suggests three questions – I think Jerry shared these with you a couple of weeks ago – which might help any of us discern a good rule of life:

 

•         What am I deeply drawn to, and why?

•         Where do I feel God calling me to stretch and grow?

•         What kind of balance do I need in my life?

 

 

A couple of cautions:

 

A Rule of Life should be neither too difficult nor too easy.

 

 “The spiritual life is not a heroic achievement.  It is a matter of gradual growth in faithfulness.  Realistic commitment is an expression of humility”  (Marjorie Thompson, Soul Feast, p. 151)

 

A Rule has to fit your life.

 

It has to fit who you are.

 

It doesn’t have to be carved in stone; you can change it as you come to understand better what God is calling you to.

 

 

Nearly everyone who advocates having a Rule of Life says, “Write it down!”  Writing it makes it a real intention and commitment, as opposed to something vaguely floating around in your head.  Plus you can put it someplace where you can look at it, and be reminded.

 

Share it with someone else – find some encouragement, prayer, and support.

 

Ask for God’s help.  Trust God to work in your life.  Be open.

 

and… remember John Wesley’s good advice:  “Begin!”   

 

 

 

Resources:

Soul Feast, by Marjorie J. Thompson

Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today, by Joan Chittister, OSB

Wrestling With Grace: A Spirituality for the Rough Edges of Daily Life, by Robert Corin Morris.