In cobblers pose, soles of my feet together, hips flowering to the floor – I welcome spirit and breath as they enter the playground of my physical form.
Coordinating my limbs, with the work of my lungs - is a divine experience.
It always has been.
Add the word or a meaningful song and it's prayer in real-time – the most authentic expression of hope and grace with the members of a singular congregation.
My body.
My muscles quake from the encounter. Awakened by the effort of lengthening, stretching and pulling, I resist but then lean into the effort it takes to do the work.
My body remembers what it feels like to live enlivened. It welcomes the presence of the Holy Spirit. And I know it. It's in the snap, crackle and pop of my right hip - the good pain of release in my neck and shoulders, the quieting of the voice that tells me my body is anything less than a beloved image of God.
Something in my soul rises to meet God in these sweet moments of healing and that feeling is made manifest in my physical form. It makes me stand just a little taller, take up - as needed - a little more room.
I’m a better me when I’m engaging in some form of physical activity.
Period.
This Lent, I'll practice the peace of Jesus as I work out my physical theology, press into the truth of life - however imperfect, in a God created and designed body. I'll re-frame the season with this embodied wisdom - the remembrance of my beginnings, my vulnerability, my scars. With intentional integration of the word and a keen sense of body awareness - movement, I'll invite Jesus to - re-member me.
You can do that too.
Our bodies. Our arms, legs, hands, toes, tissues and organs are the members of a holy congregation and tending to, considering and honoring them … is a gift.
At St. Peter's, a conversation like this was sparked a few weeks ago - about the inherent wisdom of the body, the body that remembers. and our need to talk about it. The body holds memory and is an integral part of what we call the mind. The body knows.
We'll begin this exploration next week, sharing our experiences as inhabitants of human bodies. We'll share the challenges we've faced, as well as the multi-layered wisdom we've gained - as we seek encounter with spirit on the journey to wholeness.
You’re invited.
In the meantime, head over to the
St. Peter's Mixtape for contemplative practices you can try at home.
We can't wait to worship with you!
Join us at 10am on Sundays - in-person at the church or online, as we live-stream on our
YouTube channel.
