Spiritual Disciplines
I used to hear what other people practiced as spiritual disciplines and feel like I was not doing it “right.” As I’ve aged, I realize we should not be concerned about how others practice their spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines are where I connect with God. (in the ways I connect best) That is all I need to focus on.
Jan Johnson, in her book, When the Soul Listens, said,
“The effort put forth in a spiritual discipline is not to change behavior, but to connect our inner person’s motives and needs with God. The effect of that connection is a change of heart.”
The Spiritual Disciplines are places in which we meet Jesus to be taught by Him and simply to just BE with Him.
Spiritual formation is a process where we change from the inside out.
It doesn’t matter if I like to pray inside and someone else likes to pray while taking a walk outside. Both are great.
I can pray with my eyes closed and another with eyes open.
I can pray in quiet and someone else in the midst of a jumble of sounds.
We all just need to find the places where we can rest in God as He rests in us.
Prayer is learning to enjoy God as He enjoys us!
Psalm 63 says,
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you
My whole body longs for you
In this parched and weary land
Where there is no water.
I have seen you in your sanctuary
And gazed upon your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
How I praise you.
Bless you today as you love and are loved by God our Father and as you find places to practice being with Him.
Thora
When Marty was at VCNP he gave a message on different ways people connect with God. I still have the notes. The 7 ways he listed were: intellectual pathways (e.g. reading/studying), relational, serving others, worship, activist, contemplation, and creation (e.g. experiencing nature). I connect best with God by being out in nature and worship.