Mornings are my favorite time to run. As I head out the door, the new day has yet to take shape. There are so many possibilities. An early morning run is an excellent time to begin the day in prayer. Indeed, I’ve found running to be a form of prayer. I agree with the ishouldberunning.com blog that prayer and running go hand-in-hand.
I didn’t start running to strengthen my spiritual life. Instead, I began because I wasn’t happy with my dad’s gut. But as I have turned running into a habit, I’ve found the practice to be just as spiritual as physical.
How do you connect with God? How do you make running a form of prayer? The following steps have helped me.
I have worked with kids at church for some time. My goal has been to pass along some of the joys and insights I have learned along the way. That can be challenging when children are excited and very active. So this led to this spiritual discipline for kids cartoon.
Morning and Evening Kids
There is a big difference between a Sunday morning and an evening group of kids. On Sunday morning, most children are subdued. They may be just waking up. Perhaps the cereal hasn’t kicked in or they were doing activities the night before.
What a good topic for a Sunday! What does it mean to be spiritually mature when we are in lockdown and are longing to have normal events like church services? I miss the time to get together with friends and mentors as we discuss spiritual matters and learn from the pastor’s sermon. While it’s true there are online services, it’s not the same, and there are many churches and congregants that don’t have the technology or the resources.
What Does Spiritual Maturity Mean Today?
When I posted this cartoon and post thirteen years ago, I was working for a Christian publisher. Yet looking back, I don’t know if my definition of spiritual maturity then would mesh with my understanding today. I hope and pray I have matured since then. My wife certainly has, as I alluded to in that previous post. I continue to learn a lot from her. But I know I have a long way to go.
Everyone is being tested through this crisis, even the spiritually mature. However, spiritual maturity can give us resilience during this crisis. What does it look like? Keep in mind I am looking at this from a Christian perspective since that is my background.
Spiritual Maturity is…
Putting your faith in God because you know you are not in control
Looking for ways to be generous and help others, because you know it’s not about you.
Realizing owning things will never fully satisfy
Forgiving others
Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
Acknowledging that you have never fully arrived
We have a great opportunity to strengthen our spiritual, emotional, and mental maturity through this crisis. Like you, I have my bad days. We all struggle. It helps me to remember we are all experiencing trials and troubles and that we can grow from them. Have a blessed Sunday!
Yesterday was a big day for me. I turned off the phone and I was in silence for most of it. At my wife’s suggestion, I read a book entitled, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, by Ruth Haley Barton.
I know! It was crazy. But what I feared the most actually was one of the richest days I’ve had in a long time.
It came after a busy couple of days. My wife is out of town. I went down to Florida to help him drive his car back to Indiana. And I know work will busy this morning after being out for a day.
I realize silence is a luxury these days. Our television, phones and life’s demands make it almost impossible to find some time for reflection. Yet it is so needed. We all need it.
We all need some time to meditate. We all need some time to consider where we’ve been, where we are and where we are heading. Since I am a Christian, it is even valuable for me to hear the still, small voice of God.
So this morning, it is back to the workweek. I know I will have plenty to do, as I am sure all of you will too. Through it all, I encourage you to take some time to be silent. Even if it is five minutes during the day, It will do your soul some good.
Sermon Notes on "Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings. Sermon Copyright 2019 Paula Spear
Over the years, I’ve written and drawn dozens of sermon notes. One of my regrets is that I didn’t create any of my grandfather’s sermons when he was active. I had not developed the skill by the time he retied. But one of my thrills was to do it today of my wife’s debut.
As recently as last year, if you asked her if she would speak before a crowd beyond presenting the kids during a special or giving the announcements, she would have politely declined. But as she has grown deeper through spiritual disciplines, something has changed within her.
Here is a copy of my notes. They are two pages since she spoke both hours. It’s interesting to me to see what I got out of one hour versus another when you hear a speaker more than once.
Sermon Notes on “Necessary Endings Lead to New Beginnings. Sermon Copyright 2019 Paula Spear
Her topic reflected that. She has learned the value of being still as opposed to being busy, busy, busy! It has caused her to reevaluate what her calling is in this stage of her life.
I love how she has grown and continues to grow in this stage of her life. Whether you are new in your career or have been in the workplace for decades, we all need to grow. We all need to change and experience new beginnings. But as she has learned, it takes the courage to end some things.
Part of her journey has come from a book she quoted in her sermon. We recommend it. It is Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud.
I am proud of my wife because she is leaving her role at our church under great circumstances. She didn’t wait until she developed a bad attitude, or when her work began to suffer. She left under great circumstances and with a staff in place that will continue to make great strides in the children’s ministry. Now we shall see what the new beginning will be in the coming weeks.
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