Learning Along The Way

5 Messages I’ve Learned from Spiritual Whitespace

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The words and ideas in Bonnie Gray’s new book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace have worked their way into spaces inside me I didn’t realize were there.  In the working I’ve learned a few messages (so far). 5 messages at this point that I am able to share.

1) Whitespace is vital

Look at this picture. It’s a classic example of the vital nature of whitespace in photography. If the clouds weren’t there and all you saw was a big blue sky you might miss the details in the photo.  Whitespace provides contrast.  Bonnie uses this vital idea in art in terms of our spiritual landscape as well.  The contrast of whitespace to the over full landscape of our day can allow space for our soul to breathe.  Whitespace is vital.

dad's car

2) Spiritual Whitespace is playful

Right in the middle of this classic photo surrounded by lots of lighter space is my cat Tartar. Named for my high school mascot because he was born in the art teacher’s kiln (warm space right?) I brought the tiny kitten home at the end of summer school before my freshman year. He was playful and creative. Allowing whitespace in our lives gives us room to be playful and creative too.  If we are only about the “to do list” and getting things done, there isn’t room for spontaneity and fun. Hanging out with Jesus outdoors, or with colored pencils, pens or paint can be an opportunity to connect with the imago dei that you bear.  Considering ways to find spiritual whitespace for creativity is so often pushed away as frivolous. Is it?

tartar as adult

3) Spiritual Whitespace is hope-filled

The path in this photo leads off into the distance…I know where it leads because I’ve been there, but you might not. Spiritual Whitespace allows the hope of Jesus to seep into your weary soul just like the fog is seeping over the edge of the mountains. Fog might not seem like a hope-filled thing but it actually provides a lot of moisture for coastal plants and a respite from too much heat. Our souls need to know that in rest from too much heat, of feeling burned out from too many demands, of feeling fried at the edges from too much busy-ness, there can be a renewal of our souls from weariness.

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4) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is Daily

Reading Bonnie’s book is not a quick summer beach or vacation reading experience. It is not a light, frivolous read. That being said, it is however a beautiful invitation to care for your soul-Daily. Bonnie has created a set of actions; invitations, to pull up a chair and share. Her writing is so personal and transparent that it makes it easy just to be yourself with Jesus, if you make the time available.

river to the sea

God gives rhythms in His Creation that we often ignore in our contrived electronic filled beyond the margins existence. He created us with a need to come away with Him and rest. Do we hear and accept? Or dismiss and reject?

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is an invitation to choose…

5) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a Journey

Jesus knew what His life was about: the redemption of humanity. His one goal was met at the Cross. He died the death each of us deserves because of our natural opposition to the holiness of God; opposition of allowing anyone but ourselves to be in charge of our lives.  When we recognize that it is us, not the Jews of 2000 years ago that put Jesus on that Cross; when we feel the weight of our own life burdens without His help and influence; when we consider what our options are apart from Him in the very real present and future; we come face to face with why Jesus journeyed to the Cross.

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a journey. Realigning our priorities and putting our calendars, our past, our present into an alignment of a with-God life is a journey.  It is not a one and done event; finding spiritual whitespace is a daily journey to the heart of God who made your soul, and mine, to need rest. To need space for Him.

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The most beautiful thing about Bonnie’s book? She is authentic and transparent with her journey; a beautiful model for each of us as we journey through this world. Are you on a journey toward God and rest for your soul on a daily basis? Or are you journeying on your own, worn down, bearing untold burdens from your past, pain in the present, without space to rest?

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Join us, won’t you? Community is the place to share and grow.

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

Lessons Learned

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I am really enjoying reading other writers’ work.  Blogs, books, ebooks, even tweets! I have had a steady diet of dead people’s writing for many years and they continue to influence my thoughts but lately I am really energized by current work.

For example, Jeff Goins.  I first learned of Jeff’s work through Michael Hyatt (another writer I am influenced by).  I read a couple of Jeff’s posts and subscribed to his blog via email.  That’s a great way to stay connected with writers you enjoy (you can subscribe to my blog that way too! hint, hint)

Since I just wrote about Journeys, I was excited to read Jeff’s email; he posted about journeys that day as well.  And I wasn’t disappointed!

He does this so well I want you to benefit from his work.  The following is excerpted from Jeff Goins’ email to his subscribers on Monday, Sept.30

10 lessons we learn from journeys

Journeys are important — both physical ones as well as figurative ones. They help remind us that we are not done yet, that life itself is a trip that we can make the most of or completely miss the point.

So here are 10 brief lessons I learned from my trip. Maybe they’ll help you on whatever journey you’re taking:

  1. No journey is perfect. Take one, anyway. You will grow regardless.
  2. The destination is never quite what we expect. But without one, we wander aimlessly. So having a final arrival point is important if for no other reason than it gets you started.
  3. Only when we let go of what we think we deserve can we really enjoy what we have.
  4. Inspiration is everywhere. You just need eyes to see it. Yes, even in cornfields.
  5. The hard part isn’t getting from point A to B. It’s paying attention to what’s around you before you miss it.
  6. A journey is less meaningful when traveled alone. We need community to make the most of all experiences, even if that means finding it along the way.
  7. Art helps us process. A good book or great record not only helps pass the time; it gives language to an experience you might otherwise not be able to describe.
  8. Gratitude makes any experience better. It’s easy to want to be home or some place else but we have no control over that. Turns out all we can control is our attitude. So why not be thankful?
  9. The best journeys have a purpose. But expect to be surprised and even see that purpose change.
  10. If you accomplish nothing, see nothing, even feel nothing, take heart. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve changed. And this is reason enough to continue traveling.  Also you can click over to his site and subscribe to his blog.

I am doing my own reflecting on our journeys of this summer and fall (as the season has now changed).

What about you?  How are Jeff’s lessons similar to your experiences?  How are they different?

Routes & Journeys

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over colin's shoulderThis is the view I have from the back of our tandem.  Not too shabby, eh?

This man and I have been on a journey together since 1991.  At times the route has been plain to see: work, caring for little children, home responsibilities and time with family and friends.

I would call those parts of the journey the flats; few bumps and fairly flat terrain.

This year has been a different terrain, however.  Our journey has taken us into uncharted territory; no map, no direction, no labeled route. Just trust and keep pedaling toward the next turn as the Light reveals it.

This part of the journey has involved leaving. And letting go. And good byes.

And all of that is hard.rear view mirror I have spent too much time looking at the journey from this perspective.

 

We pedaled into the unknown toward an unknown future.

But I trusted the One to Whom there are NO UNKNOWNS.

Prov31And He is faithful.

We moved out of our house and into suitcases and boxes.  And after 96 days of nomadic life, in 7 days we will land in a downsized space in a new place because of thisthe offer

 

The real Captain of the tandem is taking us on a new route.  It has taken us far from family & friends; from familiar places.

We’ve begun the hunt for a new church, new cycling paths, and new experiences while making effort to maintain our established friendships.

Hard but good.

As I was reading today in the new Proverbs 31 OBS book A Confident Heart, this verse jumped off the page:

“Do not call to mind the former things or ponder the things of the past.  Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth, will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a road way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

He has made a new road way.  A new route.

I am known.  I am seen.  I am loved & cared for beyond what I can imagine.

You are too.  Do you realize it?  I forget sometimes. Do you?

I know I too often take my eyes off the One Who is doing these new things and instead I look at the ‘if only’ or ‘I wish’ and I lose sight of the Way He is leading and I get off His route and into the weeds.  And get a flat tire. Or stuck. I need help.

Psalm 121 says “I will live up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”

provo mountainsThe journeys of life can feel like they are taking us on routes away from what is known & familiar & safe & predictable.

But the only true journey is on the route which leads toward the Heart of God.  That route may not feel safe. (But He is good.)  It’s definitely NOT familiar or predictable.

But this journey is taking me right where I want to end up.  In His secure, loving embrace with a whispered “Well done…”

Life is a Journey

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As I was getting ready for work this morning, I had Pandora playing. A song I’d not heard came on; a song whose lyrics really expressed my heart. 

It’s not a new song, so some of you may already be familiar with both the song and its composer/performer, Ginny Owens.  The lyrics of her song, “If You Want Me To” are words I would write if I were a songwriter.

I know that life is full of challenges, Jesus told us it would be this way.  “In this world you will have troubles.”  That may sound pretty bleak.  But He also gives us a great encouragement: “Take heart!  I have overcome the world!” 

Jesus has already won the fight for our eternal destiny.  He fought that for each of us because of Love.  Love for the Father and Love for each of us.  In spite of  whatever we’ve done that we might think wouldn’t be deserving of Love. 

He willingly fought for you and me.  Because of Jesus’ battle for our souls and His righteousness alone, you and I can be accepted into that Love.

This priceless Love makes this journey worth taking.  The journey here is a journey toward God’s heart.  We are changed along the Way by the challenges.  Even though life is full of challenges, heartaches, losses, in the middle of it all there is the security of His Presence.  The best part of this journey is that Jesus wants to walk through it all with us! 

Because He Loves You.  Because He Loves Me.  The difficulties give us the chance to grow closer to the One Who Loves us.

This song reminds me that because of this a.ma.zing Love,  I am willing to journey through tough things.  Not alone.  Not forgotten.

Be encouraged. Listen here: If You Want Me To

Follow Me…

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