A Tangible Expression of Faith

I have found myself carrying stress in my body and pacing for no reason. I know that my soul needs beauty, but I wonder if it needs other things too.

I have noticed that sitting at home I have a tendency to binge watch Netflix or constantly scroll social media feeds (Facebook and Instagram). Or I fake being productive and just go down the rabbit hole of searching google for answers instead of going to God. For me when I notice these things it is an invitation to take whatever I am struggling with or wanting to avoid and to bring it to God in prayer.

I have also been watching the news more now than I have ever done before. I think these things give me a false sense of doing something, of having control, but I don’t feel in control during stressful times. As I’ve noticed my longing for control, I’ve also noticed my lack of trust in God who is truly in control.

So, what does my soul need?

I think my soul needs to do something tangible, something real, something physical to ground me in God during disorienting and distressing times. I think I have accidentally stumbled upon this need as I noticed my longing for an illusion of control through numbing on Netflix and doom scrolling social media, which may have their place in the parameters of an appropriate amounts of time, but it’s not what my soul needs right now.

When I found myself pacing for no reason, it was my body telling me that I need to actually do and experience something tangible. I discovered it as well when I have gone on walks outside, played Scrabble with my wife, enjoyed cooking meals, and read a physical copy of a book.

I also think my soul needs a physical expression of my faith and relationship with God. I’ve wondered how I might embody my spirituality? And, would that be a benefit for me?

In the past, I have used practices such as lighting a candle at the beginning of my quiet time with God, crossed myself, read a physical copy of the Bible instead of a digital one. I took up wood burning to make wood burned crosses, walked a labyrinth or went on a prayer walk. I also tried to serve and meet spiritual and practical needs as a way of being a part of the church, the body of Christ.

So, in response to what my soul needs in this season, I plan on coming back to some tangible practices that have been helpful for me in the past.

Specifically, I will pick back up the practice of lighting a candle to begin my dedicated quiet time with God and blowing it out after I have finished that time. I also want to be more intentional with my walking and make it another time of prayer when I walk for exercise or walk the dog. I want to talk with God and listen as I seek to embody my prayers and literally walk with our Lord.

I also want to explore some new avenues or activities to see how I might meet with God in a different way.

In the coming days and weeks, I want to explore creating a physical sacred space in my house, a place that I will intentionally set aside and decorate in a way that sets it apart for meeting with God. I will put a candle, a cross, Bible, prayer book, and anything else that I find significant at this time there and start doing my quiet times in that space.

I also sense an invitation to better live out the rhythms of work and rest by working diligently and practicing Sabbath. I want to reestablish exercise and eating healthier as a way of stewarding the body that God has given me. I want to actually be the hands and feet of Jesus serving a world in need, which I can do through making music and singing God’s praises, meeting practical needs of people through giving food, sharing meals, offering hospitality, etc.

Finally, I will try to stay open to God and any invitations He may give me during this season of life.

What does your soul need?

Is there some tangible expression of faith God is inviting you into?