Some readers may find this statement to be sacrilegious (and I know so little of theology that my word choice may be inappropriate), but for most of my life, I was unaware of the meaning of the word liturgy. This Southern Baptist girl just went to church, read my Bible, memorized Bible verses, and prayed. There was no great pondering, that I can recall, of why I engaged in those activities or what over-arching descriptor might apply, I just knew what was modeled in Scripture and that these behaviors are what Christ-followers did. Later, as I matured a tiny bit in my faith, and engaged with others outside of the Baptist church, my vocabulary increased to include liturgy and sacrament as terminology embraced by some to describe the habits and activities related to spiritual practices.
As I attempted to find the most accurate terminology that would capture the essence and purpose of this current research endeavor, I returned again and again to this concept that our life’s journey is a pilgrimage we engage in, a path we walk with God, to live a life of purpose and meaning through the unique God-designed gifts and talents He has provided us. Questions emerge from my readings such as: How do we, as individuals, find the specific path that He designed for us? Where do I find guidance when I feel that my navigation needs recalculating? How can He use the over 150,000 hours we spend at work each year, even the Mundane and Monotonous for His glory? Do I have the skills needed to use my vocation to fulfill the commandments to love Him and love others? And on and on the questions arise that seem to have no simple answers.
But as I continue to increase my mileage on this sometimes mystical journey, and I seek ways to equip emerging adults on their continued trek After College, I find myself returning again and again to the necessity of creating these Habits of a Flourishing Life – which really are activities that can be an outpouring of our faith. So, living a Liturgical Life for me, means that I welcome these spiritual practices that began as a child, that I continue to Refine and Revise my daily routines, and that even writing this simple blog becomes an outlet for worshiping my Savior. And although some friends might advise that I am reading and writing too much, I offer some resistance, because I view the process as a spiritual practice, where God uses the words of others to enrich my experience with Him, and I believe my words could be beneficial to others.
Although I have yet to read Tish Harrison Warren’s Liturgy of the Ordinary, (it’s on my list), I appreciate Gibson and Beitler sharing her words, “How I spend this ordinary day in Christ,’ she continues, ‘is how I will spend my Christian life.’” Gibson and Beitler build on this idea that even ordinary activities, including blog writing, can be viewed as a liturgical exercise. In Charitable Writing, they offer, “…practicing charitable writing won’t suddenly bring you riches or fame. It won’t suddenly make you chipper every time you sit down to write. But it may, or so we desperately hope, bring you closer to God. That may happen at moments when everything seems to be clicking, when the words seem to flow from your fingers as if authoring themselves…Sometimes, it seems a burden we’d rather throw off…pause…[and realize] just how unfathomable, just how strange is the love of God.”
If I choose to view my writing as a spiritual discipline, a liturgical practice, then when I engage God in the process, it becomes something more than just words on paper. “God should not be thought of as a casual bystander…We may ask for God’s companionship throughout the writing process, and if you do this you are likely to find-as we have while composing this book! – that writing provides many occasions for prayer…When conducting research, we can beseech God to make us good stewards of others’ ideas and ask to be shown the mind of Christ more fully through our endeavors.”
So, I’m pondering this idea that to live a Liturgical Life might just be engaging in the spiritual practice of Charitable Writing. With a new series on liturgy beginning at my church tomorrow, this post may require some additional edits, but I ask you to share some of the spiritual practices that bring hope and meaning to your life in the comments below.
Reference:
Flourishing @ Life 