It is a challenge to put spiritual life into words. Words do not seem to fit deep spiritual truths.
Some words feel too small to express what cannot be measured or evaluated. We hold onto what we think the words mean for us, which can distract us from the depths of spiritual life. How we appreciate spiritual life seems to shrink to fit into our words.
Many people rely on words from their experience to try to describe or explain spiritual life. They get used to seeing spiritual truth in certain ways and do not question how they see. They use words they have known for as long as they can remember. People who were raised with rules about spiritual life can be afraid to “color outside the lines.”
It can be a real struggle to leave our favorite words behind and find spiritual life in new ways.
Some words feel larger, but less clear or less comforting. There are people who study religion or theology as an academic pursuit. They tend to have large, multisyllabic words to describe aspects of spiritual life. Their larger words may help them be accurate, but they can miss the poetry and passion of spiritual life.
Part of the challenge of talking about spiritual life is our words. Whether they feel small or large, they are not words that tend to encourage people to explore. Our words often convey a sense that we know what we need to know, that our questions have been answered.
Like stars behind the clouds in the night sky, spiritual life is deeper and greater than our words. We may only be able to appreciate it in silence, beyond words.
Which words you most often use to describe spiritual life?
Where would you like to explore spiritual life next?
[Image by Craighton Miller]
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