Creating Space for God: Embracing Spiritual Disciplines

 

Summary

In today's message, I explored the importance of balancing our spiritual practices and the need to empty parts of our lives that are overly processed. Often, in conservative Protestant settings, certain spiritual disciplines are viewed with skepticism, sometimes being labeled as "Catholic." However, these practices, when understood correctly, are not about religious labels but about creating space in our lives for God to work. The historical misuse of these disciplines has led to misunderstandings, but they hold significant value when approached with the right mindset.

I shared my personal journey of being inspired by figures like Jonathan Edwards and Charles, yet struggling to emulate their spiritual depth. This struggle led me to realize that I was overly occupied with good things, leaving no room for deeper spiritual growth. It was only when I began to spend long periods alone with God that I experienced a profound transformation in my soul. This solitude allowed me to gain a fuller picture of my spiritual life and the importance of these disciplines.

The history of spiritual disciplines is powerful, often influencing us without our awareness. Understanding this history is crucial for embracing these practices in a way that enriches our spiritual journey. By stepping back from our responsibilities and processed lives, we can create space for God to flourish within us, leading to tremendous spiritual experiences.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balancing Spiritual Practices: It's essential to balance our spiritual practices and not dismiss certain disciplines due to historical misuse or religious labels. These practices can create space for God to work in our lives when approached with the right mindset. [00:30]

2. Personal Spiritual Journey: My journey of trying to emulate spiritual figures like Jonathan Edwards taught me the importance of creating room for spiritual growth. Over-occupation with good things can hinder our spiritual development. [01:38]

3. The Power of Solitude: Spending long periods alone with God can have a transformative effect on the soul. This solitude allows us to gain a fuller picture of our spiritual life and experience profound spiritual growth. [02:12]

4. Understanding Historical Context: The history of spiritual disciplines is powerful and often influences us without our awareness. Understanding this history is crucial for embracing these practices in a way that enriches our spiritual journey. [02:51]

5. Creating Space for God: By stepping back from our responsibilities and processed lives, we can create space for God to flourish within us. This leads to tremendous spiritual experiences and a deeper connection with God. [02:28]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:17] - Introduction to Spiritual Practices
[00:30] - Misunderstandings and Labels
[00:45] - Historical Misuse of Disciplines
[00:59] - Emptying Overly Processed Lives
[01:12] - The Need for Spiritual Space
[01:25] - Personal Spiritual Struggles
[01:38] - Inspiration from Spiritual Figures
[01:55] - Over-occupation with Good Things
[02:12] - Transformative Power of Solitude
[02:28] - Gaining a Fuller Spiritual Picture
[02:41] - Importance of Historical Context
[02:51] - Embracing Spiritual Disciplines
[03:06] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:6 - "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
2. Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
3. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some spiritual disciplines mentioned in the sermon that are often misunderstood or labeled incorrectly? [00:30]
2. How did the pastor describe his personal struggle with emulating spiritual figures like Jonathan Edwards? [01:38]
3. What transformative effect did the pastor experience from spending long periods alone with God? [02:12]
4. How does the history of spiritual disciplines influence our current understanding and practice of them? [02:51]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the practice of solitude, as described in Matthew 6:6, lead to a deeper spiritual transformation?
2. In what ways does Psalm 46:10 encourage believers to create space for God in their lives?
3. How does 1 Timothy 4:7-8 relate to the idea of balancing spiritual practices and avoiding over-occupation with good things? [01:55]
4. What role does understanding the historical context of spiritual disciplines play in enriching one's spiritual journey? [02:51]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any that you have dismissed due to historical misuse or religious labels? How might you approach them with a fresh perspective? [00:30]
2. Consider your daily schedule. Are there "good things" that might be hindering your spiritual growth? How can you create more room for God in your life? [01:55]
3. Have you ever experienced a transformative moment during a time of solitude with God? How can you incorporate more solitude into your routine? [02:12]
4. Think about the historical context of the spiritual disciplines you practice. How does this understanding impact your approach to them?
5. Identify one area of your life that feels overly processed or busy. What steps can you take to empty it and create space for God to work within you? [01:12]
6. How can you ensure that your spiritual journey is not influenced by misconceptions or labels, but rather by a genuine desire to grow closer to God? [00:30]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to "be still" and know God more deeply, as encouraged in Psalm 46:10?

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Diverse Spiritual Practices
Balancing spiritual practices involves recognizing the value in disciplines that may have been historically misunderstood or labeled. In many conservative Protestant settings, certain spiritual disciplines are often dismissed due to their association with other religious traditions, such as Catholicism. However, these practices are not about adhering to a specific religious label but about creating space for God to work in our lives. When approached with the right mindset, these disciplines can enrich our spiritual journey and help us grow closer to God. It's important to move beyond historical misuse and embrace these practices for the spiritual benefits they offer. [00:30]

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." (Romans 14:13, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual practice have you dismissed due to preconceived notions, and how can you explore it with an open heart this week?


Day 2: Making Room for Spiritual Growth
In the pursuit of spiritual growth, it's easy to become overly occupied with good things, leaving little room for deeper spiritual development. Many people find inspiration in spiritual figures like Jonathan Edwards, yet struggle to emulate their depth due to a lack of space in their lives. By intentionally creating room for spiritual growth, individuals can experience a more profound connection with God. This involves evaluating one's life and identifying areas where over-occupation with even good things may be hindering spiritual progress. [01:38]

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one "good" activity in your life that might be crowding out time for God. How can you adjust your schedule to prioritize spiritual growth?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Solitude
Spending long periods alone with God can have a transformative effect on the soul. Solitude provides an opportunity to step back from the busyness of life and gain a fuller picture of one's spiritual life. In these quiet moments, individuals can experience profound spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. Solitude is not about isolation but about creating a sacred space where God can speak and work within us. By embracing solitude, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence. [02:12]

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Plan a specific time this week to spend in solitude with God. What do you hope to discover or experience during this time?


Day 4: Learning from the History of Spiritual Disciplines
The history of spiritual disciplines is powerful and often influences us without our awareness. Understanding this history is crucial for embracing these practices in a way that enriches our spiritual journey. By learning from the past, we can avoid repeating mistakes and instead focus on the true purpose of these disciplines. This involves studying the historical context and recognizing how these practices have shaped the spiritual lives of countless individuals throughout history. [02:51]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: Research a spiritual discipline that interests you. How has its historical context shaped its practice today, and how can it enrich your spiritual journey?


Day 5: Creating Space for God to Flourish
By stepping back from our responsibilities and processed lives, we can create space for God to flourish within us. This involves intentionally setting aside time and space for God to work in our lives, leading to tremendous spiritual experiences and a deeper connection with Him. In a world filled with distractions and busyness, creating space for God requires intentionality and commitment. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's presence and allow Him to work in and through us. [02:28]

"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to create more space for God in your life? How will this change impact your relationship with Him?

Quotes

"Normally when I present these especially in a conservative Protestant setting, everyone says, gee this is great, study worship, fellowship and so on. They look over this other side and say, isn't that kind of Catholic, and they are, and of course they were badly used, they were badly used and that's one reason why people sort of figure that they got nailed on the Wittenberg door, the one in Wittenberg not the one in San Diego uh with the other stuff, uh unfortunately that's that's a very bad mistake." [00:10:32]

"And the reason I distinguish these and I discuss this at greater lengths in the book of course, is because these are primarily ways in which we empty parts of our lives out that are overly processed, maybe food maybe company or whatever, we might call it responsibility which is a good thing so then we need to empty that out, and we need to step out of that and really frankly I was driven into this whole teaching as a as a young person because I couldn't make." [00:61:12]

"See I was very impressed with people like Charles, Jonathan Edwards and other people of that sort and still am, so I wanted to make that work, I couldn't get within a smell of it, I moved over and realized I had a lot of work to do over here, and frankly things got better, they got better, and I realized then that I was overly occupied with good things, and I didn't have room to let these flourish in me." [00:96:56]

"And I learned what it was to spend long periods of time in a room alone with God, and the transforming effect of that on the soul, along with experiences tremendous experiences that then I get a whole picture so that's why that's why I make that list the way I do, and, and of course, like in the book I'm sorry to be referring to it over and over again but I have a whole chapter on the history of the disciplines." [00:138:64]

"And of course history is very strong isn't it, and strongest perhaps when we don't even know it's there, so we have to come to grips with that, that's a very important point." [00:171:20]

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Transcript
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