Comments on: The Future of Christian Spirituality: Part 1 | The Role of Desire in the Spiritual Life https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/ Strengthen The Soul Of Your Leadership Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:15:09 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733314 Thu, 01 Feb 2024 15:31:29 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733314 In reply to Rachel Clair.

This is such an insightful sharing, Rachel. I know you speak for many in your age group who are longing for something different than what they have been brought up with. I love the balance you express between acknowledging external factors that contribute to the emptiness while also owning “the real choices I made in my late 20s/early 30s that squashed desire in exchange for security and approval.” That is a fine line to find but you’re finding it–and in doing so you are claiming your own agency to make different choices now. Yes, this does bring up very complex emotions AND that is where God wants to meet us if we don’t give in to numbing and escapism. It means the world to know that in some way my own story is supporting your journey. Thank you for being so transparent.

]]> By: Cynthia Fore https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733295 Mon, 29 Jan 2024 14:50:33 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733295 All the way back to when TC8 happened, I felt that you articulated what I deeply felt, yet had no words to describe. I came then, desirous and desperate for the “more”, even though I had no idea it would entail “practice-based spirituality”. And I dove in deeply, not knowing how to swim, but eager to learn. Now, how many ever years later, taking others through a similar journey with the sacred rhythms, I find myself asking church leaders in my community, “how will you offer practices that can allow the people to get in touch with desire?” I am looked at like I have three heads. Yet, your quote about what is personal is most universal, reminds me that I am not the only one who is wrestling with this in our churches today. I am sensing a deeper desire arises in me for the kind of “future spirituality” to which you talk about. Perhaps, that is exactly the prophetic voice that is crying out. So, I continue to pray and live out my own shared experience and hope to live in to this reality. May it be so!

]]> By: Rachel Clair https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733169 Sat, 13 Jan 2024 13:39:18 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733169 My sister and I are both in our 30s. I have been on the path of slowing down, getting in touch with desire and allowing my image of God to change for a few years now. She is just beginning to acknowledge and take steps toward these deeper realities. She once said to me, “it feels like it would be easier to know and follow God if i hadn’t been raised christian and were just starting to find God now.” I feel that sometimes too, and I think it’s because of this truth about desire.

Recently, though, I’ve started to recognize that while the external factors of my upbringing are real, there were also real choices I made in my late 20s/early 30s that squashed desire in exchange for security and approval. It is so hard to sit in all the complex emotions that come up with that! Bleh.

As a woman in my 30s walking this journey, I’m consistently grateful for how much of your personal story you share in your books and articles. Your words have been like a flashlight to me — “Look! She’s been here too. Keep going!” Thank you

]]> By: J Eccles https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733139 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 19:59:37 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733139 Ruth, your article… before, I was feeling like an almost-finished puzzle ready to be admired but now someone has vigorously shaken up the tablecloth where it was set to dust it off, and all the pieces are still in the air waiting to find the ‘right place’ to fall.

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733135 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:00:39 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733135 In reply to Bill.

I hear you…and I can assure you that you are not the only one. This may be the time when the bravest and most important thing you could do is go down into the depths of your desire (even though in the short term it may intensify feelings of regret) to see what’s there and trust that Jesus will meet you (at 66 years old!) with the question “What do you want me to do for you?” I pray you have a seasoned spiritual director who will go there with you and/or ask some of the questions that will help you get there. God be with you.

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733133 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:09:32 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733133 In reply to John pitt.

Because that’s what we do as humans….we try to find ways to be certain because that is what’s most comfortable for us in terms of maintaining the illusion of control. That is the hard truth.

]]> By: John pitt https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733132 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:34:06 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733132 Why is it that so much of church life is focused, still, on the oughtness you mentioned. And the importance of being certain, when only a few things are really certain.

]]> By: Bill https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733122 Sun, 07 Jan 2024 14:15:59 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733122 So now what? I’ve been a teacher, pastor, leader for my whole adult life. At 66 I’m left wondering if this is really all there is. Too much regret and pain cloud what I try to see for the next phase of life.

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733115 Sat, 06 Jan 2024 18:27:36 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733115 In reply to Nancy.

So true!

]]> By: Ruth Barton https://transformingcenter.org/2024/01/the-future-of-christian-spirituality-part-1-the-role-of-desire-in-the-spiritual-life/#comment-733114 Sat, 06 Jan 2024 18:27:18 +0000 https://transformingcenter.org/?p=18165#comment-733114 In reply to Kervin Raugust.

Amen to that!

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