Somewhere, perhaps in seminary, I was told that leading worship cannot really be worship for the worship leader. Somewhere, perhaps in seminary, I was taught that preparing to lead a Bible study or preach a sermon did not count as actual Bible study for the one doing the preparation. Somewhere I got the impression that leading prayer at committee meetings did not count as prayer life. None of the spiritual matters I labored at as a minister counted as spiritual practice. It was all, I had been told, ‘professional,’ not personal or spiritual. My eventual realization that this was untrue has brought me great relief, even joy.
—Michael L. Lindvall, “Spiritual Ill-Discipline”
in A Spiritual Life: Perspectives from Poets, Prophets, and Preachers, edited by Allan Hugh Cole Jr.
Note to self: It all counts. (and why am I counting anyway?)
Writing/Reflection Prompt: When it comes to spiritual matters, are there some things that you consciously or unconsciously tell yourself “that doesn’t count”?
