I believe God can be found in all places and at all times.

I believe God’s desire is to heal us and make us whole.

And most of the time this transforming work is happening little by little, in the middle of our monotony and mundane. Every moment, big or small, is an opportunity to welcome the healing and wholeness of Jesus.

The “trick” of spiritual formation, then, (if you want to call it a “trick”) is to pay attention. At least once a day (yes, even in these weird, frightening, uncertain days) pause for a few moments to take stock of your whole self: your physical body, your mind, your spiritual self.

This is not about judging yourself. This is about noticing. Taking a moment. Taking a breath. Paying attention. Please be gentle with yourself, and gracious. It’s in these moments of prayerful examination, when I find myself encountering the love God has for me. It’s in these moments when I notice what small change the Holy Spirit is working in me. And it’s in these moments when I find clarity for what Jesus is inviting me to do next. (Even if that next thing is taking a nap or making a phone call or writing that note.)

Ok so begin by asking yourself:

“How is it with my soul?”

This is the toughest question to answer, I’ll admit. I mean, what is my soul anyways? How am I supposed to check in with something I can’t see or name?

No matter how often I check in with my soul, I struggle with the answer. So I have to back up and ask myself, “How do I feel connected to God? How do I feel disconnected?” Or maybe I back up even further and ask, “What is bringing me life? What am I grateful for? And what is draining me? What am I struggling with?”

These questions are a bit more concrete and help me to get at the hidden places of my soul. And these next two questions are also a huge indicator for me of how my soul is doing. Our minds and bodies tell us something about what our soul is up to.

Remember, we are physical not only spiritual. God loves and delights in our physical selves and longs to have our bodies healed and whole. I believe God mourns with us in the brokenness of our bodies and the pains of his people. And I believe in the fullness of His Kingdom all will be made well. So ask yourself:

“How is it with my body?”

Am I feeling energized or tired? Sick or sore? Strong and healthy? Why?

So, too, are we psychological beings, a creation with intricate brain function and thought processing and complex emotions and problem solving skills. The Kingdom of God – a kingdom of peace – begins to break through the chaos and the noise of our minds when we say yes to Jesus. When we check in with our thoughts during the day, we can take captive the suffocating anxiety or the untamed anger and welcome instead the Spirit of Peace. We take a deep breath (go ahead, take one right now) and feel our bodies and minds catch up with one another again. Our fists unclench, our shoulders lower, our faces release their gridlocked expressions. Oh yes, Christ is here.

“How is it with my mind?”

What thoughts am I preoccupied with? Is my mind barreling ahead, almost beyond control? Or are my thoughts sluggish and apathetic? Am I clear-headed, sober-minded?

I love when the Apostle Peter uses that phrase “sober-minded” (In 1 Peter 5:8-11) Compare a clear and coherent mind with one clouded by exhaustion or medication or other substances.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

So pause now and check in with your mind, pay attention to what’s going on in your head. In so doing you’ll be equipping yourself to stand firm in the faith.

Find 2 or 3 others

Now is the time to find a circle of people to join you in this soul-work. Maybe you all know each other really well, maybe you don’t. But the willingness to show up (virtually or on a phone call or in person) and rumble with vulnerability (as Brene Brown says).

Establish ground rules

1 hour maximum, 1 time per week

Confidentiality – no one will talk about what’s shared outside of the group

Spirit-led – no one is the “expert” here. You’re all trying to pay attention to what God’s Spirit is doing in one another.

Silence is ok. Don’t force a response. Leave space. Wait together in the in-between.

Each person should have 5 – 10 minutes to answer the questions (How is it with your Soul? Body? Mind?)

No interrupting.

Listen actively. Maybe literally with open palms. Maybe jot down notes while they share. Be present to them.

Spend a couple minutes responding to the person. No advice giving. Refrain from drawing parallels to your own story. Ask clarifying questions. Repeat a word or phrase they said that stuck out to you. Call out how their emotion or expression changed when they said xyz.

Begin and end with a simple pray of thanks and welcoming God.

Repeat weekly.

And now, my friends, may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, uphold you in these days of chaos and unknowns. May God restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 5:10-11