Thank you for this beautiful, grounding sermon. Your argument that we are a "microcosm of creation" containing all four elements is such a spot-on spiritual insight —it speaks to me.
The tension I wonder: around the Earth element and commitment. It seems that too much Earth leads to lethargy and getting stuck in a comfort zone, while too little Earth leads to running away and struggling with commitments.
My question is: How do you practically reconcile the need for the spontaneity and movement of Wind (which you describe as the urge to move or immigrate somewhere new despite all risks) with the groundedness of Earth (which requires commitment and self-discipline)? When that inner desire for a big, adventurous change hits, how do we discern if it's the Spirit's Wind prompting necessary movement or just "too much Wind" leading to avoidance of commitment? Do you have practices that you found true to lead to authenticity?
This is a great question and something that is important to build discernment around. There have been times where I've had that urge to make a big change but I really had to sit with it and pray and meditate on it for a little while to make sure it was the Spirit really speaking to me as opposed to "too much Wind". For me, there is usually a difference in how it feels in my body. I notice that when I'm feeling dissatisfied or in an uncomfortable season, there can be a temptation to want to move and shake it all up (i.e. run away). The feeling in my body is more angsty, anxious, etc. Where as when the shift is coming from a more grounded and "gut-driven" place that's how I discern it's authentic. I can feel in my body when seasons of more earth vs. more wind are appropriate. If I am still unsure I don't act right away but give myself a few days (or weeks) to sit with it and pray on it and allow the Spirit to help me discern. Meditation and prayer and journalling have been helpful practices to help me silence the Ego so I can actually discern what the Spirit is telling me.
Thank you for this beautiful, grounding sermon. Your argument that we are a "microcosm of creation" containing all four elements is such a spot-on spiritual insight —it speaks to me.
The tension I wonder: around the Earth element and commitment. It seems that too much Earth leads to lethargy and getting stuck in a comfort zone, while too little Earth leads to running away and struggling with commitments.
My question is: How do you practically reconcile the need for the spontaneity and movement of Wind (which you describe as the urge to move or immigrate somewhere new despite all risks) with the groundedness of Earth (which requires commitment and self-discipline)? When that inner desire for a big, adventurous change hits, how do we discern if it's the Spirit's Wind prompting necessary movement or just "too much Wind" leading to avoidance of commitment? Do you have practices that you found true to lead to authenticity?
This is a great question and something that is important to build discernment around. There have been times where I've had that urge to make a big change but I really had to sit with it and pray and meditate on it for a little while to make sure it was the Spirit really speaking to me as opposed to "too much Wind". For me, there is usually a difference in how it feels in my body. I notice that when I'm feeling dissatisfied or in an uncomfortable season, there can be a temptation to want to move and shake it all up (i.e. run away). The feeling in my body is more angsty, anxious, etc. Where as when the shift is coming from a more grounded and "gut-driven" place that's how I discern it's authentic. I can feel in my body when seasons of more earth vs. more wind are appropriate. If I am still unsure I don't act right away but give myself a few days (or weeks) to sit with it and pray on it and allow the Spirit to help me discern. Meditation and prayer and journalling have been helpful practices to help me silence the Ego so I can actually discern what the Spirit is telling me.