Time to Start Digging

For the past few days, I have been digging a trench a few feet deep in front of a retaining wall that is slowly crumbling due to the effects of water and pressure. The trench will hopefully be a remedial measure to change the flow of water and thus change how the elements exert force on the wall.

Of course, the wall was good when it started. But, over time, what was once ‘good enough’ just isn’t what is needed now.

I think of something similar in our spiritual lives.

We all probably have practices and understandings that were good at a certain time in our lives.  They worked well enough to keep us on track and did what they were supposed to do.

But, over time, the forces and pressures of life push up against us and we start seeing some crumbling. Remedial measures are needed. And sometimes, they’re a lot of work.

Perhaps you have been feeling a little stale or stagnant in your spiritual life these days. Maybe your ideas about God have changed or you have lost touch with something that previously was meaningful. Maybe you notice a little crumbling in some areas of your life. Maybe you’re stuck in routines that feel a bit lifeless.

Time to start digging…

It is important to remember that, like anything else, our spiritual life changes over time and what we need to stay connected to God, to ourselves and to our faith might need to change as well.

For example, take prayer.  While we might continue to regularly pray, what we do during that time or how we pray might need to change. The same may be true for our spiritual practices. What we practice or how we practice might need to change in order to meet the current situation.

It’s also important to remember that just because remedial measures might be needed, it does not mean that we have done anything wrong. In the case of my retaining wall, the people who built it did a really good job that lasted for decades. But time brings about change that requires adaptation and renewal.

It could also be, however, that we have neglected certain aspects of our lives or not addressed some things that we knew needed to be addressed. Obviously, the sooner we intervene, the less energy is required to right what is wrong. But the longer the remedial work is delayed, the more that will be required to try to get things back on track.

The upshot for me is having the courage to admit where we are and to take measures to respond when we become aware that something new is needed. Having someone that we speak with regularly – like a spiritual director or trusted friend – can often be helpful in saying out loud what is happening. Writing in a journal can also help us witness ourselves saying something which is true and in need of our attention.

Insight alone, however, does not produce change. Sometimes we need to make a plan, get out the shovel and pickaxe and get in the dirt.

If you find yourself a bit stagnant these days or in need of a change, know that you’re not alone. You may try switching up some of your prayer and/or spiritual routines or explore more embodied practices. And if you’re not sure what to do or what needs to change, please reach out to someone on the pastoral team or a trusted friend/guide.

And for a brief article by Fr. James Martin, SJ on spiritual “renewal” check out this link: https://thejesuitpost.org/2021/08/james-martin-sj-how-to-let-god-renew-you/