Faith Matters 13: Spiritual Types
For the Gardner News, Saturday, October 21, 2006
Human experience is rich in the varied ways we experience the holy and the sacred. In last week’s column I touched on the difference between those who experience the spiritual most deeply through images and symbols, whether verbal or visual, and those whose experience of the holy lies in the mystery and silence beyond images and symbols. These two classic ways of relating to and experiencing the spiritual are only the beginning. In fact, there are many different “spiritual types”, each with a different mode of experiencing the ultimate reality of our lives that many of us name as “God.”
For example, even within the broad category of those who know God primarily through images and symbols, some experience God most profoundly through words and ideas. Their passion is reading, hearing, and studying scripture, always wanting to go deeper in understanding the layers of meaning in the Bible. The sermon is the center of their worship experience, the more intellectually rigorous and challenging, the better. Understanding the theological framework and history of our faith delights them, especially where they see and understand God acting in history. They are drawn to hymns with rich lyrics. Whether spoken, read, or sung, “the Word” is where they encounter God. They tend to seek out and feel most comfortable in a worship setting focused primarily on the Word, in the company of men and women who approach God in a similar way.
Others, just as faithful, encounter God most deeply through images and symbols that touch their hearts. Their images of God are personal, rich with human attributes and feelings. They come alive in their faith when they hear stories, whether from scripture or from life, of other men and women and children encountering God. Testimony and faith- sharing move them deeply. The presence and participation of children in worship may move them deeply. They feel called to serve others directly, and are able to connect with the lives, struggles, pain and joy of those in need. They often prefer music that is simpler, rich with images rather than ideas--music that touches the heart. Worship for them is most satisfying when they feel God’s presence during the service or in the gathered community.
There are some who experience God most directly through action and service. Worship might be important for them, but it isn’t the main focus of their church involvement. They get frustrated by a sermon or anything that keeps them sitting still too long. But get them building houses for Habitat for Humanity, working for peace and justice, or collecting food for a food pantry, and they feel very close to God. Their faith takes shape through their activity and in working to change the world.
And, as described last week, many find God most readily in the quiet, in meditation and reflection. They may feel drawn to the silence of Quaker style meetings or worship that allows ample time for quiet and reflection. For them, the less talking the better! Music and sacraments may be their springboard for deeper meditation and prayer.
Most of us don’t fit neatly into any one spiritual type. But we tend to have a predominant style that shapes our experience of God and the sacred. Part of the richness of the broad faith community is that it offers us a range of worship styles or combinations of styles. No matter what our spiritual type, there are places where we can go and worship, hopefully feel God’s presence, and find nurture for our souls. God created us in many styles and types, and reaches out to us in many different ways. Open your heart and mind and life to God and see how God is reaching out to you!