Reading Spiritually About Spiritual ThingsAre you pausing each day to read spiritually?
Reading often means gathering information, acquiring new insight and knowledge, and mastering a new field. It can lead us to degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Spiritual reading, however, is different. It means not simply reading about spiritual things but also reading about spiritual things in a spiritual way. That requires a willingness not just to read but to be read, not just to master but to be mastered by words. As long as we read the Bible or a spiritual book simply to acquire knowledge, our reading does not help us in our spiritual lives. We can become very knowledgeable about spiritual matters without becoming truly spiritual people.
As we read spiritually about spiritual things, we open our hearts to God's voice. Sometimes we must be willing to put down the book we are reading and just listen to what God is saying to us through its words.
"We are here not only to transform the world but also to be transformed." Parker J. Palmer
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Spiritual Reading
I received this today from the Henri Nouwen Society in their daily newsletter.
Thanks for posting this--Nouwen has a way of putting it, doesn't he? I happen to somewhat disagree here, if I may. My thought is that while of course reading spiritual texts spiritually is essential, it's entirely possible to read "secular" texts spiritually as well. I think that God's availability in literature, textbooks, and all kinds of other unintentionally spiritual words can be just as full as in the writings of folks like Nouwen or Merton. Por ejemplo, if an academic is doing her job well, she is finding, whether or not she wants to, manifestations of Truth through reason, a God given gift. While the Christian should be reading spiritual words spiritually on a regular basis, I think we should also cultivate a practice of reading all things with an eternal perspective, looking for the Holy Spirit where we might not expect to find it.
ReplyDeleteThis is so poignant. Thanks for sharing it. ALWAYS a great reminder. I put too much emphasis on the "knowledge gaining" part of reading...and fail to let God in on the whole bit.
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