Our dance with the Holy Spirit is everchanging throughout our lives. I would be the first to advocate for ancient spiritual traditions that have stood the test of time...long term consistency is beautiful and meaningful in its own way. And yet, we are indeed called to be ever “open to learn, unlearn and relearn” spiritual practices that will help connect us to Jesus and follow him more nearly…new practices can bring new insight and growth.

We are meant to be in a constant state of transformation.

But you already know that…and you have also likely figured out that your various choices of spiritual disciplines ebb and flow across the seasons of your life. What worked when you were young usually changes when you move into the busy season of career and/or family, which changes when you retire, etc.

During this month of July, when many people are vacationing or enjoying their time in different ways (such as being outside more), it may be a good time to explore some new and creative spiritual disciplines. In our Spiritual Wellness Community for Women, we are reading a very short book to inspire thinking creatively about new spiritual disciplines to implement. The book is: 5 Unconventional Spiritual Practice for Your Soul by Michelle DeRusha. I actually read it in an afternoon, but it definitely inspires me to try some new ways of creating space to connect with Jesus.

Some of the 5 practices I have seen addressed, though perhaps in different ways, in other books. But one that caught my attention was “the spiritual practice of arriving early.” I will let you read it for yourself, but this one gave me such insight on changing perspective on something that I already do so that it actually becomes one more opportunity to connect with Jesus.

It’s a short book, and a quick read, but it is also a springboard to stepping back and surveying your own personal landscape to see where you can develop a creative spiritual practice without adding anything to your otherwise busy life.

Creativity, I believe, is a highly underrated spiritual attribute.

If God is our Creator….and God is constantly creating in us a greater likeness to Jesus…then shouldn’t we also value creativity? That could mean looking for creative ways to connect to Jesus, as I mentioned above…or maybe it means seeing creative endeavors you already do as being a spiritual practice. Do you create by knitting or crafting or painting or making music or gardening or decorating or…whatever your thing might be? Can you shift your perspective….can you be open to making your creative endeavor a spiritual practice? I fondly remember the prayer shawl ministry we had at my first call church…we met monthly to knit or crochet prayer shawls together…or socks or whatever. But the character of the group was so spiritually grounded in Jesus…we had a liturgy to begin our circle time, we prayed for everyone for whom we were creating something, when a project was finished we would all lay hands on in and infuse it with prayer before we tagged it to be delivered. It was such a beautiful and creative ministry!!

I am currently working on being creative with my harp. At my retirement home in Hawaii I held a free concert for my neighborhood for peace and relaxation…close to 30 people showed up with the lawn chairs and I played for an hour as a gift. I was shocked at how moved people were! It was beautiful….and I will certainly do it again, hopefully during this month during which I am focusing on spiritual creativity!!

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” —Colossians 3:2-3

What if all our spiritual practices and creative endeavors were infused with this concept? What if we our spiritual discipline was “setting our mind on things that are above” in all that we do? The intention with which we approach what we do actually matters…why not make it count?

And in the process, the Holy Spirit might just see to it that we learn, unlearn and relearn in ways that draw us closer to Jesus and help us to follow him faithfully…and creatively…all the days of our life.

May it be so!

Shalom,

Julie Parsell

Retired Pastor—Spiritual Director—Therapeutic Harpist—Dabbling Yoga Teacher

PS Let me know what creative endeavors you are up to this month! Something new? Bringing back something you haven’t done in years? A new perspective on an ordinary activity? I’d love to be inspired by your learning, unlearning, relearning creative journey!