We are spiritual beings learning to be human beings. Won't you join us?
Laura Longville
We are spiritual beings learning to be human beings, not the other way around.
Spirituality is about growing, weaving, deepening, strengthening, and embracing fully our relationship with God. And prayer is at the heart of that relationship. In Jane Vennard’s book, Praying with Body and Soul, she says this, “The way in which I imagine God will be central to how I live my spiritual life. If God is “out there,” I will be building my relationship with another. If God is “within me,” I will be seeking a loving relationship with myself. If I see God embodied in my sisters and brothers, I will begin weaving right relationships with those around me. If I see God in Jesus, I will be searching for a clearer relationship with him. If I see God manifest in all of creation, I will desire to relate lovingly with all living things. If I see God in all these images, my spiritual life will include learning more and more about relating to God in various ways.”
Our relationship with God is initiated by Him. God is searching for us, longing for us, “wooing” us. Whenever we respond to God’s call to relationship, we are in prayer. Understanding prayer as a response rather than initiation makes the experience of prayer easier for me.
Spirituality is “anything that has to do with one’s relationship with God.”
God is always wanting a relationship with us. He pursues you, seeks you out, invites you into his world, and He enters ours. He gave us a body to experience Him, others, and ourselves.
God is pursuing us
In CLR #4, we learn and listen to our bodies as God reveals himself to us. We learn prayer practices that bring us more awareness of God and his goodness. We dive into how to use our senses to connect with Him and the world around us.
As in all other retreats, there is individual time alone with God built into this 24-hour retreat. Like in retreat 3, we stay away from home at this beautiful, serene retreat center, St Mary’s of Sewanee.
Is God drawing you to see him in all things, wanting you to purposefully slow down and find support with others you seek him to? Join the journey together.