Our upcoming Fall Retreat will be a welcome break from routines and demands. It will also allow us the opportunity to discuss how it is that each of us approach God.
Too often we assume that there is but one way to show devotion to God. We observe one particular pattern, or are influenced by one spiritual mentor and spend or lives emulating their style. That style may have worked very well for them, but it many not be ours. As a result, we struggle in our response to God. We fail to realize that the style is as much of an impediment as is our lack of discipline.
It should come as no surprise to those who know me well that my preferred spiritual expression is that of service. In fact, starting tomorrow these offerings will begin to reflect the exhaustion associated with building the Homecoming Habitat House. "The Compassionate Life" is but one way to express one's piety.
Other expressions include a "Word-Centered Life," those who fixate on the scritpures; "Spirit-empowered," which would be more of a mystical approach; "Virtuous Life," meaning making a strong moral character our anchor; and finally "Prayer-Filled," which is somewhat like mystical, but is more intentional in the attempts to talk to God.
While we may find one way more comfortable, few of us fall firmly into one category. We typically express our hope in several. But understanding the differing approaches can enable us to find a pattern of interaction which is more satisfying. How is God experienced in our lives?
I am looking forward to the weekend and to the opportunity to explore a bit of this with you. I offer these thoughts in hope that it might get you thinking ahead about our time together; that it might provide content for those of you who will be with us in prayer, but not in body. Keep the participants in your prayers this weekend, and ask that God would help each to better understand how it is that they experience and respond to God's invitation to be his children.
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