Friday: Learning, Studying & Exploring
September 26
- Scripture: John 8:31b-32 — “Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”
- Reflection: The early movement of Jesus’ followers was called the Way. It grew to become a church and then an institution and a separate religion from the one out of which Jesus grew. It lost some of its simplicity, intimacy, and flexibility as it matured.
Yet Jesus’ example, his teachings, and his life are available to anyone. What do you understand about the Way of Christ? What do you put into practice, from Christ’s teachings and ways of living and being in the world, for yourself? What do you consider to be out of your reach?
Spiritual practices are learned by seeking out teachers who help us deepen the practical reality of our application of the ethics and ideals we find in Scripture. Mentors, coaches, and role models help us implement the lessons of the Way. Spiritual practices develop by consistently exercising those standards as words and actions in daily life.
Of course, we will get things wrong. Yet we strive to grow while living in the Way.
The motivation for being Jesus’ disciples cannot be the hope of earning grace or meriting forgiveness. We do it, because we are asked to do so, and it is right to try our best. Yet God’s love and compassion cannot be earned or bought. We cannot negotiate our way into a state of grace. Rather the vision of God’s kingdom on earth, of a world made sustainable and equitable for all people and all beings, begins by following in the footsteps of the Way. - Spiritual Practice: What is one thing that Christ did or taught that you can adopt as a simple and consistent practice? Here’s a brainstormed list, but you can certainly come up with your own example. Each item might sound pragmatic, yet all have spiritual implications.
- Get some sleep?
- Wish people ‘peace’?
- Say a prayer?
- Offer people blessings?
- Be mindful and give thanks for food at each meal?
- Admit to God when things are too much?
- Be willing to weep and show emotion?
- Write letters?
- Feed people?
- Put down the distractions and chores (screens/phones/other stuff) and spend time with people in your life who need your presence and attention?
- Walk from place to place … slow life down a little?
- Set aside time for the Sabbath?
- Help others with bodily needs?
- Eat meals in community?
- Say yes, when someone offers to cook for you or take care of you (allow yourself to be loved)?
- Sing?
- Read and/or study scripture?
- Pause for deep conversations?
- Attend special life events, such as weddings?
- Mourn when people you love die?
- Make time for respites and retreats?
- Seek out holy places, such as synagogues or temples or sanctuaries, but also outdoor settings that are sacred?
- Notice and keep company with surprising and marginalized people in society?
- Take time for children?
- Heal others?
- Visit prisons and care about what happens inside places of incarceration?
- Hydrate, aka, drink water from sustainable sources, in responsible ways?
- Pay attention to people whose encounters with you might otherwise be transactional?
- Hang out on rivers, lakeshores, along oceans and on boats?
- Give away stuff you don’t need?
- Climb or hike in the mountains?
- Ask more questions?
- Visit cities?
- Explore your own neighborhoods and travel within your geographical region, and discover places you’ve never been?
- Get to know new people?
- Donate some of your ‘wealth’ to causes you support?
- Share the call to serve or volunteer with others, instead of doing it all yourself?
- Build teams?
- Communicate with people who feel forgotten or invisible?
- Create kinship circles and families by affinity and choice, rather than only families of blood-and-marriage?
- Invite a balance of women and men into roles of leadership?
- Get to know people by meeting in their homes?
- Pray for your enemy?
- Give people innumerable chances to start again?
- Discover whether there’s anything you’re willing to die for?
- Define what motivates and gives purpose to your life?
- Find a wise teacher to follow?
- Learn new lessons as often as possible?
- Touch others and be touched?
- Tell memorable stories?
Song:
- How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin: https://youtu.be/KBD18rsVJHk?si=NaARdJ7pyW5p0pwM
“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.” — Albert Einstein
Sept 26 Daily Devotional