Journal-4

Words from a Journal of a student of Spiritual Disciplines

Feb. 4, 2010 The other day Pastor and I were discussing this time of rest that our church is experiencing. She asked me to ponder on what this might mean.
     One often thinks of rest and renewal as being coupled. Our rest is one of refreshing leading to renewal. Renewal has many connotations. At the moment I think ours is one of returning to our spiritual values and perhaps a reshaping of our goals, of our worship, of our service and of our outreach. It is a time of inward introspection. We have been so “busy” doing stuff that we need this rest in order to recharge our engines – our spirits. The past year of turmoil and chaos has dampened our spirits. We need to come together in order to reassure each other and to lift each other up. We need to recognize how fragile our spirits are and to consciously focus on spiritual renewal. As written before, the “form” of the renewal is not important. It is simply that spirits be renewed in the manner in which we are called to manifest it. This must be a time of lifting up community, the gathering of his people, for spiritual growth.
     Our renewal does not require a tent or altar calls. It may or may not have any semblance to a charismatic renewal. It may appear to be outwardly pretty mundane, but hearts and spirits will be renewed – rested. We will be in a different place, in a different mindset than before. Finances will be sufficient and folks needing the Lord will become available to us.
R. Jeremiah