I heard the phrase spiritual slouching the other day and it got me musing about how this may be prevalent now. The energy of the election and its aftermath may have brought up unrest and slouching of the ego or vice versa, inflation of the ego! We could also feel a slouching of the soul individually but also culturally or maybe even globally. With the beginning of advent and a new season perhaps it is time to take a serious posture check. We all know that slouching posture takes a toll on many of the organ systems of the body, it also takes a toll on us mentally. Or as is often the case the psyche or state of mind is reflected in the outward appearance and overall health of the body. But what does spiritual slouching look like?

I think we all know what it feels like to sink into the sand of a spiritual desert. It may be very hard for us to stand tall and remember what we stand for spiritually. Awareness is the first step! We all succumb to the atmosphere of our culture. Even on a daily basis our sense of connection and spiritual well being can fluctuate markedly sometimes even moment to moment! I believe this is so because we frequently overidentify with the changing variables or circumstances around us. We can become so distracted by the perceived chaos and threats around us that we forget to look within and up to the One that holds all things. Let us not loose heart and shrink from the inherent hope, joy, peace and love of this holy season.

A simple posture check will do. As often as you need. Stand tall, perhaps even lifting your gaze and your heart up. We aim to connect to God and his mystery and majesty, but also maybe when we stand straighter and look up we radiate with just a bit more light so that the qualities of advent begin to shine out through us. When we lift our eyes, it is like going to a higher vantage point, we begin to regain our perspective. I believe the media likes to keep us in the valleys where fear is heavy like fog that refuses to lift. By staying in the valley so to speak we keep our gaze narrow leading to myopic thinking which does not allow for the expansive quality of healthy spirituality that is cultivated by finding higher ground.

I believe that finding this higher ground is of upmost importance. Where do you go to seek this sacred ground, perhaps literally finding higher ground on a hike or in the mountains? Maybe you find higher ground in solitude or in community. Perhaps serving lifts you up, often we see our ‘problems’ with new perspective when serving another or others. In all of this I think we lift the veil of illusion, we see more clearly what truly matters and is at the heart level of healthier spirituality.

In 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 Paul speaks so eloquently about removing the veil: But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Let this truly sink in! Paul asks us to turn to the Lord. Just this, lift your gaze, stand tall, remember your walk in faith. Just this, I say again Turn to the Lord! And there will be freedom in this action. Freedom like nothing else really. Once we remove the veil, we begin to reflect Gods attributes. I believe Jesus wants nothing more than for us to embody his characteristics. When we do this, we naturally stand taller and we will no longer be spiritually slouching. It is almost like the fog is cleared from our vision and our bones/ burdens become lighter.

In closing, lets us reflect on one more beautiful verse from 2 Corinthian’s 4:12-17; Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. Particularly in the season of advent, I encourage you to not loose heart. We are more than the details of our lives or our doomsday newsfeeds. We are children of God. Because he created us and loves us he truly does renew us day by day. I trust in the freedom that Spirit brings to you so that you may feel the hope, peace, joy and love of this season. I pray you encounter these qualities within your own heart and when you stand tall and lift the veil you see and feel these qualities and the presence of God all around you this season and forever more.