The spiritual discipline we seem to forget
The spiritual discipline we seem to forget
I remember when I first learned about the spiritual disciplines. Like many evangelicals, it wasn’t till I was in my 20s that I realized how the disciplines could be so life changing and give me tools to encounter a God who is very much still at work in the world.
I read books on and practiced centering prayer, meditation, lectio divina, spiritual direction, the daily examen and the divine hours.
I once even fasted for 40 days. (that’s a whole other story).
It was a few years in to exploring the spiritual disciplines that I realized something was missing.
There was a discipline that was a part of the practices of many like Augustine, Ignatius, Benedict and many others who are considered some of the early leaders in the contemplative way of connecting to the heart of Jesus that seems to be gone!
This discipline seems to be almost entirely lost as the contemplative movement washed over into mainstream evangelicalism a few decades ago:
Spending time with the poor.
Not merely donating money, coats, hats or food to the poor. Not only serving food to the poor.
But ALSO genuinely spending time with and developing relationships with the poor.
(Not that we should stop donations!)
Many of us don’t have much, but we can all be in a relationship with someone who has less than us when it comes to material wealth.
Why would this be such an important discipline in the early monastic church?
There are some very compelling reasons if you ask me:
1. The poor have something to offer us.
It’s easy to think that spending time with the poor will become just another temptation to have a savior complex or we fear it will mean we have to give money we don’t feel we have.
But on the contrary, when I have spent time with those who have less than me, I realize they have a lot more to offer me than I have to offer them. They have perspective, gratitude for the little things, an understanding of deep suffering, radical generosity, moving stories and often a VERY deep faith in God that is well beyond circumstances.
When we have all we need, we forget that we depend on God.
2. The poor remind us of what is important in life
Those who have less than I do when it comes to material goods constantly remind me of what is important: Relationships are the most important thing in life. Relationship with God and each other.
You can tell it is a priority in the stories that they tell and the way that they encounter other people.
Sure, there is also a priority that many have to survive and figure out where to get a meal and shelter. But most other topics of conversation are about relationships and the stories they have of people in their life that have come and gone.
It’s hard to worry about the little things when you spend time with people who have little.
3. Being close to the poor means you are close to Jesus.
Some of the early church leaders and many theologians since have suggested that God has a “preference for the poor”. Pointing out that Jesus made the poor a priority and that the entire Bible points to caring for the poor to be one of God’s chief concerns.
There is significantly more in scripture about God’s care for the poor, the oppressed and those in need of justice than any other single topic.
When we spend time with those who have less than we do, we are closer to the heart of God and are building our relationship with God as we build relationships with those in need.
This discipline may have been forgotten but there is so much that can be gained from allowing it to be central to our lives and the life of the church.
God’s story is one that creates inclusivity to those on the margins and thus the story of God’s people should create that space as well.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
-Matthew 25
The spiritual discipline we seem to forget
I remember when I first learned about the spiritual disciplines. Like many evangelicals, it wasn’t till I was in my 20s that I realized how the disciplines could be so life changing and give me tools to encounter a God who is very much still at work in the world.
I read books on and practiced centering prayer, meditation, lectio divina, spiritual direction, the daily examen and the divine hours.
I once even fasted for 40 days. (that’s a whole other story).
It was a few years in to exploring the spiritual disciplines that I realized something was missing.
There was a discipline that was a part of the practices of many like Augustine, Ignatius, Benedict and many others who are considered some of the early leaders in the contemplative way of connecting to the heart of Jesus that seems to be gone!
This discipline seems to be almost entirely lost as the contemplative movement washed over into mainstream evangelicalism a few decades ago:
Spending time with the poor.
Not merely donating money, coats, hats or food to the poor. Not only serving food to the poor.
But ALSO genuinely spending time with and developing relationships with the poor.
(Not that we should stop donations!)
Many of us don’t have much, but we can all be in a relationship with someone who has less than us when it comes to material wealth.
Why would this be such an important discipline in the early monastic church?
There are some very compelling reasons if you ask me:
1. The poor have something to offer us.
It’s easy to think that spending time with the poor will become just another temptation to have a savior complex or we fear it will mean we have to give money we don’t feel we have.
But on the contrary, when I have spent time with those who have less than me, I realize they have a lot more to offer me than I have to offer them. They have perspective, gratitude for the little things, an understanding of deep suffering, radical generosity, moving stories and often a VERY deep faith in God that is well beyond circumstances.
When we have all we need, we forget that we depend on God.
2. The poor remind us of what is important in life
Those who have less than I do when it comes to material goods constantly remind me of what is important: Relationships are the most important thing in life. Relationship with God and each other.
You can tell it is a priority in the stories that they tell and the way that they encounter other people.
Sure, there is also a priority that many have to survive and figure out where to get a meal and shelter. But most other topics of conversation are about relationships and the stories they have of people in their life that have come and gone.
It’s hard to worry about the little things when you spend time with people who have little.
3. Being close to the poor means you are close to Jesus.
Some of the early church leaders and many theologians since have suggested that God has a “preference for the poor”. Pointing out that Jesus made the poor a priority and that the entire Bible points to caring for the poor to be one of God’s chief concerns.
There is significantly more in scripture about God’s care for the poor, the oppressed and those in need of justice than any other single topic.
When we spend time with those who have less than we do, we are closer to the heart of God and are building our relationship with God as we build relationships with those in need.
This discipline may have been forgotten but there is so much that can be gained from allowing it to be central to our lives and the life of the church.
God’s story is one that creates inclusivity to those on the margins and thus the story of God’s people should create that space as well.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
-Matthew 25
I’ve been pretty convinced that God’s been laying on my mind that my next “job” will be will a non-profit giving of myself to those in need. Your writing is directing me more that way. Thanks for sharing your heart!
That’s wonderful! Proud to be your niece!