Geometric Shapes
Author: Joan Harman
November 09, 2021
Geometric shapes are
used in every field of thought and endeavor as either guides or metaphors. In our field of theology and Bible Study, we
most often use a triangle, based on the Trinity of God, but John Wesley did
have his golden quadrilateral that added three other raw materials to the input
of Scripture.
Dallas Willard has a
Golden Triangle of Spiritual Formation. I'm assuming it is an equilateral
triangle, as it really doesn't matter which side you start or end with, all are
of equal importance.
Practice Spiritual
Disciplines
Embrace our Situation
Open our lives to the
Guidance of the Holy Spirit
Suppose you are
starting with Embrace our Situation
If you think this time
is chaotic, do remember our cosmos, including all of us, was created out of
chaos. Our bodies know things before our mind realizes we know it. We know how chaos feels even before our minds
tell us exactly how things are whirling around. How does your body inform your understanding of situations? Squeezing
and squirming in tension, or thawing and thanking in the suspense? And can you
smile, both with pleasure and as a time/place holder while you have time to
breathe and collect two thoughts together?
How is the Holy Spirit
nudging you into correct thinking when your body is reacting to faster apps and
slower deliveries, less solidarity, and more fluidity in family opinions? If Joy is the humans' noblest act (someone
said that in the past and it is very appropos to think of that now) how does
the Spirit lead us toward JOY? The Spirit will lead us into some helpful
spiritual disciples.
In my mind, the various disciplines can't be
ranked. If, then, all are of equal value, just pick anyone and start.
Perhaps you commit to
taking communion regularly, that blessing that provides us with the manna for
this time.
Perhaps you commit to
speak only kind or uplifting words in this time of industrialized gossip.
Perhaps you commit to
reading the Bible regularly again and grab an Upper Room at church or catch
Pastor Frank on his text or blog meditations.
And after you've
committed to one of these or a different discipline, which way are you
going.................more open to the guidance of the Spirit or embracing (and
accepting) the situation we're in? Remember it's an equilateral, equiangular,
equi - empowering way to operate. Any
direction forth or back is productive.
Blessings,
Joan K. Harman <><<><
joanharmank@gmail.com
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