Spiritual Pathways

Ever wonder why some settings or situations help you engage with God more easily? For some, being in nature makes you come alive and you see God's hands as creator. For others, a quiet corner with no distractions, and long moments of stillness melt your heart into prayers of thanksgiving!

There are 9 sacred or spiritual pathways/temperaments/personalities and a link to a quiz that you can take to find yours! Gary Thomas wrote a book called Sacred Pathways that is also so helpful! He describes the sacred pathways reflecting on the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was faced with the most difficult thing he would ever do. The night before he was arrested and set in motion the steps toward crucifixion (and resurrection), he went to the garden. He took some friends, but then also went by himself. He cried out to the Lord, bore his soul, and then surrendered to the sacrificial plan set before him. Jesus in fact displayed all of the spiritual temperaments throughout the gospels and showed us how to connect with God.

The 9 temperaments are:

1. Naturalist: finding God is nature/creation)
2. Sensate: finding God in the five senses- eyes, ears, smell, taste touch and beauty- man-made or creation
3. Traditionalist: finding God in symbols and ritual- connecting with the church of God through the ages
4. Ascetics: finding God in silence, stillness and solitude
5. Activists: Finding God while confronting injustice, and advocating for the oppressed
6. Caregivers: finding God through caring and loving others
7. Enthusiasts: finding God in community, celebration and communal worship
8. Contemplative: finding God in communing with him in adoration and time lingering in his presence and love
9. Intellectual: finding God and engaging him with the mind- study, reading, researching and memorizing of scripture

Everyone can practice all the spiritual pathways, but some you will find are just easier! In times of trouble and stress, it's great to know how to connect with God and refresh your soul!