Came across these notes from a book I read a couple of years ago. I find the idea of "needing a spiritual practice" something worth thinking about as the church prepares for the season of Lent (yes - Ash Wednesday is NEXT Wednesday).
I am also taken by the idea that we can find a song in our hearts and sing it with our lives. Sounds to me like the abundant life promised by Jesus in John's gospel (10:10) might be this song - when it's practiced intentionally.
I wonder if it would be helpful to think about the first fruits that we offer to God to go beyond the tithing of income - but to offer God the first fruits of our spiritual life, our work, our daily stuff?
Here's the quote:
"I think people in this society need a spiritual practice. In order to find your voice and find the song that's within your heart and sing it with your life, you need some daily thing that you do regularly, whether you feel like it or not, that's nurturing your soul, a time of prayer, a time of contemplation. Some people do yoga and meditate, other people go run out in the woods or dance or pray or keep a journal. There're so many ways. And it can be one thing for a few years and another thing for another few years; it can change form. The form isn't the point.
Individuals have to find what works for them, but some way where you're answerable, not to society and not to making a living and not to other people's needs, but just to what is alive in you. What are you really feeling? What are the choices that you're making and surrendering into your living spirit?
In many churches, there's a tradition of giving 10% tithing. I find some value in that, if, who you're giving to is something you truly support and it reflects what you want to see more of. But how about giving...10 percent of your day, some of your time, not just your money, but your time to the spirit as you understand that."
(John Robbins - as quoted in "The Leadership Challange" by Kouzes and Posner)
No comments:
Post a Comment