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Avoiding the Trapdoor in Transformation
Steve Summerrell

 

Steve Summerrell summarizes the possible pitfalls to the spiritual life of what he calls the trapdoor and how to reverse such a trajectory. In essence, he is exploring, as St. Paul did in many of his epistles, the temptation toward “works righteousness” in which we believe ourselves to be in control of outcomes. The result? Unhealthy pride. Discouragement. Even despair.

Any time our focus is upon something other than Christ, no matter how laudable, we run the risk of casting grace over a cliff and our joy along with it. As Summerrell states, “the problem is a misplaced focus in the formation process.”

Standing at the very epicenter of God’s salvation enterprise is not the propagation of the gospel, or the effectual removal of sin, or even the character and righteousness resulting thereby, but the union/reunion with our Creator-Redeemer. The rest is process and details. Even our union with God is not to be our focus, but ultimately the God with whom we enjoy such union.

1. This week, practice “nonpractice.” Lay aside any notion of a specified discipline and merely sit in silence before God. It is likely your spirit will object to the idea of simply being, without agenda, before God. Let it. Remind yourself it is God’s undertaking from start to finish. Record your experiences in your journal or notebook.
2. Find something that draws you into contemplative oneness with God, preferably something that some might describe as “nonspiritual.” Before doing so, whisper the following prayer: “Gracious God, in what follows, we are one. You in me and I in you.” Some possibilities:
   1. If you are musical, play an instrument or sing.
   2. Write something from your heart—a song, poem, stories.
   3. Painting, photography, or pottery.
   5. Nature walking or jogging.
3. Conversation with a friend or spouse. Afterwards, say this prayer: “Holy One, how you have blessed these moments. Bless, now this day with a deeper communion with you and others. May it be so.”

 

 

Letting Go of the False Self
Alice Fryling

 

The Christian spiritual experience is, at root, an awakening to our connectedness—to God and to one another. “Self-awareness is a key component in our spiritual journey, and in human flourishing,” states Alice Fryling, who, by means of a valuable synopsis of our Enneagram “space,” guides us to a better understanding of our true and false self.

As she makes clear, the true self is guided by grace and assumes love. It accepts limitations and weaknesses as invitations to God-dependence and to others-interdependence. Our false self clings to all it is afraid of losing, while our true self always gives away out of an abundance it can never lose.

The Enneagram offers many gifts, not the least of which is the  discovery that the deepest, most life-changing truths often come to us wrapped in sour grapes. Those gifts can become liabilities in unhealthy spaces or treasures of grace in places of health and spiritual abundance.

1. Strive to discover recognizable times when your false/old/ego-self asserted itself. What were your emotional responses at the time? What were the long-term results? How might that have been different under a different, true-self perspective? Record your meditations in a journal.
2. Write two personal press releases. Craft the first out of your ego self. Shamelessly self-promote as though looking for a job. Craft a second as you think your true self might do. I.e., assume the job is already yours and you have nothing to lose! What are the differences?
3. Prayerfully consider what might be your Enneagram number, or “space.” Sit with each of these synopses before God, offering prayers of thanks for the grace offered through you in your number, and prayers for help in the unique challenges inherent in that same space.
4. Procure and read a book or two on the Enneagram. Many online resources exist as well to guide you.

 

 

The Call to Flourish
Mark Labberton

 

Dr. Labberton, in an effort to best convey the communal call to love and good works, utilizes the tried-and-true metaphor of the synchronicity found in the symphony orchestra. And in those musical moments he experiences how life imitates art. Together we are stronger than the sum of our parts.

Our flourishing starts and ends in the paschal mystery. We give up what we least want to be in exchange for what we most want to become. And the world should be intrigued enough about the Christ in us that that same Christ might become the Christ in all. Labberton clarifies in this way: “The God made known in Scripture and incarnate in Jesus Christ desires flourishing people in a flourishing world.”

The more we love, the deeper the revelation of that love from whence we spring and in which we are enfolded. Says Labberton, “God’s primary call is for us to belong to and live for the flourishing of God’s purposes in the world.” Christ and the people who follow him are God’s face and intention writ large upon the world.

The piece concludes in a short interview with Cindy Bunch. In it we get to the heart of his message. When one flourishes, we all flourish. Love begets love. Hope begets hope. God’s call in the gospel isn’t to “I,” but I as it relates to “we.”

1. Labberton shares some excellent exercises by which we may enter more deeply into this mystery of flourishing. Over the next few days, adopt one of his examples into your experience.
   1. flourishing collage
   2. flourishing playlist
2. Begin a process of poetry devoted to your personal flourishing for the sake of others. Sit quietly, eyes closed, for a few minutes, your pen and journal ready. Steady your breathing. Write the first words that come to you. Build upon those words your poetic explorations over the next few days.
3. Seek out a person or family near you who may be struggling in some way. Ask God to forge in you a willingness to engage with them in ways most needful to their situation, to be a source of God’s flourishing. Record in your journal your resulting experience.

 

 

Joy Changes Everything
Jim Wilder

 

Joy acts like the rudder of our spiritual boat, often a determining factor in the steadiness of our course, and adding or subtracting from our experience of the journey. Wilder facilitates a fascinating discussion on the place of joy in our formation. “From the human brain perspective,” he assures, “joy stimulates the growth of the brain systems involved in character formation, identity consolidation and moral behavior. . . . Joy is relational.”

Wilder suggests our joylessness derives largely from misplaced emphases, that of intention over connection. As Jonathan Edwards argues in Religious Affections, nothing inspires, influences, and guides the soul’s formation more than our affections (emotions).

This is where addictions enter the picture. Inhibitions disappear, replaced with perceived temporary reprieve, sufficient to release us from the dominance of negative emotions, loneliness, and heaviness of spirit, even if fabricated. One can perceive a fake joy to promise the desire for change quicker than cold, faceless determination.

Spiritual development is, at its core, a physical process, being rooted in our thinking, outlook, and habits. Our lives change from the inside out, the unseen bleeding its way out to our observable behaviors. “Joy activates the brain’s social engagement system and prepares us to engage with God and others.” And connection brings transformation as the result, a transformation that ushers more joy, which again inspires further change.

1. The New Testament word translated as “joy” appears 245 times. In addition, the word “rejoice” (i.e., the verb form of joy) appears 154 times, for a total of 399. The word chara (from the same root as “grace”) means “joy, delight.” For example, James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.” Write this word on a 3” x 5” card you can keep in your Bible or on your fridge. Think of it often. Speak it frequently throughout the day as a reminder of what you desire as your inner posture. Record your results for a week.
2. Practice “joy-spotting.” If you or someone you know is in a troubled relationship, sit with that person (if possible). Look back to find moments of relational connectedness and joy. As they come, record them in a journal or piece of paper. Roll up the paper and place it inside a flower vase. Light one candle per instance around the vase. Let the ambiance that is created guide you into a deeper awareness of joy in the now.

 

 

Practicing God’s Presence . . . for the Next Ten Minutes
Jan Johnson

 

With delightful simplicity and approachability, Jan Johnson helps us deepen our God awareness. Written with the busy, twenty-first-century, work-a-day person in mind, she opens the door to the possibility of a rich, satisfying spirituality in the midst of the mêlée. With so much of the language and practice of contemporary spiritual formation focusing on the inner life, this is welcome news to the new mom, the student working two jobs, and extrovert, among others.

She remarks, “When I have spoken about practicing the presence of God in groups, some people heave sighs of relief: I could do that. That even sounds like fun! Often these folks had felt locked out of spirituality for years.” The sheer availability of God’s presence makes the practice thereof a pursuit accessible to all.

She elucidates, revealing this central practice as active, holistic, easy to follow, and simple, all of which can guide us into prayer-drenched service to that selfsame God. She points us to the Psalms and letters of Paul, which are replete with pictures of everydayness, continuity, and perpetuity in one’s awareness and practice of God.

Boredom is a spiritual malady of the soul not at rest in God. This practice can help to alleviate it. Quoting Brother Lawrence, she insists that it’s not so much practicing God’s presence as being an active participant in it. The beauty is in finding a life lived more engaged than specifically disciplined. Most important, our growing God awareness promises a deeper compassion for others.

1. Has your life become unmanageable to the point where you feel off balance? Does life leave you gasping for breath? How might a deepened God awareness help you to redefine and recenter your life?
2. Johnson suggests some practices within the practice. Choose one of the following and use it to help bring shape and health to your busy life: Breath prayer — short phrases, usually from the Scriptures, that you can pray in a single breath throughout the day.

Meditating on the run—write favorite Scripture verses or wisdom from the saints on 3” x 5” cards. Let them guide you periodically throughout your day.

Humming—this one is self-explanatory. If possible, let your iPod help you!

3. There is nowhere God is not. Therefore, we can find any number of things to help guide us into contemplative awareness. What might some of those be for you? Gardening? Poetry? Bicycling? Jogging? Even napping!