My Introduction to Ministry Studies professor told us a few weeks ago that if we plan on practicing any spiritual discipline in our later life, we had better get going. “If you don’t find time for it now,” he said, “you never will.”
This was a stark but helpful reminder to many of us in the class, of various faith traditions, who had sort of been hoping that as we matured spiritual discipline would get easier. I know I imagined that once I was an official Minister I would somehow be less easily distracted during prayer, or less likely to let urgent responsibilities I procrastinated on take over my journaling time.
But my Professor is right. Whether it’s communion with the spirits, painting, prayer, prostration, or meditation, any spiritual practice is a practice because you really have to do it over and over again for it to have an impact. You have to find the discipline to continue as well as the discipline to begin.
As SOF-er James Croft recently pointed out, tradition and ritual are an important part of any community, including Humanists. What spiritual practices are you hoping to incorporate into your future ministry or career? Have you started them already? How do they impact your life and study?
I struggle with this a lot. As I am sure you can sympathize, Divinity school does not leave you much time for reflection. Even now that I am working in a church, I feel like I have even LESS time for my own spiritual disciplines.
I fear that as I become “official” that there will be less and less time. I always wonder how I am supposed to be a shepherd for others on their spiritual journeys if I become lost on my own.
As of right now, I have a devotional emailed to me everyday and it is the first thing I do in the morning (thanks smartphone!). But, I am so concerned about not being spiritually aware when I graduate that I am considering taking some time to reflect, hopefully at a monastery (hoping to go back to Taize), to refresh my soul by rediscovering God’s presence.
Great and pertinent post!
Was this Dudley Rose, or the co-teacher? At any rate, it’s a wonderful reminder. Thank you!
It was Dudley! It’s been such a joy to have him and Stephanie Paulsell this semester:).
Thanks Hannah!
Although I don’t really consider myself a ‘spiritual person’, there is much in your post that resonates with me. We simply must take time – now – for what keeps us centered, for what counts, for what matters most of all. It is tempting to postpone the intangible for the sake of the tangible – but, it seems to me, if we neglect the former, the latter loses all meaning.
Your last three questions are piercing – especially to me as a candidate for ordination in the United Church of Christ. There is much that I neglect in my ‘spiritual formation’ – a phrase I inexplicably feel the need to put in scare quotes! You are right (and Dudley Rose before you) – there is much I should do now… priorities I have been neglecting. Thank you for reminding me/us!