Do spiritual disciplines really matter?

As the new year begins, many aim to start as they mean to go on, including taking a fresh approach to their spiritual disciplines. Jarin Oda explores with Tim Alford the practices that help him

Prayer, worship, reading the Bible, fasting. These are four of a multitude of spiritual practices we’re encouraged to engage in regularly, but have you ever thought about why they matter? Why do spiritual disciplines play such an integral part in our spiritual growth? These were questions Tim Alford and American youth pastor Jarin Oda took time out to consider during a recent Limitless podcast.

Jarin points out that just as regular trips to the gym – however reluctantly made – improve our physical fitness and bring a host of other benefits, so too do daily spiritual practices.

“I intentionally practice things that aren’t my natural disposition. That does something to the way you look at the rest of your day, how you interpret your experience or your life,” he says. “The more I step regularly into this rhythm or particular activity, the more it’s shaping my perspective on God’s character, on what I can expect or choose to expect in my moment-by-moment existence.

“Biblical theology comes to life when you realise you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

“When you catch that vision and how you’re called to do good works both in and around you, then you have a vision for what’s ahead.”

Jarin shared four practices that have been formational in his work as a youth leader and his walk with Jesus.

WEEKLY EXAMEN

One of the things that has been most life-giving to me recently is the Ignatius Examen, which I’ve been doing once a week.

When people think of the term ‘prayer’ they think of praying out loud, but often, I’m writing on my iPad and reflecting.

Every Monday, I upload an outline that has gratitude, petition and a weekly review based on Ignatius’s consolation and desolation.

With gratitude, I look back on the week and list all the things I’m grateful to Jesus for because my disposition moves more towards scepticism.

Then I move into petition, which is about areas I’m concretely asking Jesus for in my life.

Thirdly is a weekly review, and that’s the spot I’ve been really enjoying. That’s looking back at where I felt a sense of God’s nearness in my regular life and where I felt far.

Then lastly, there’s forgiveness. That’s the area I’m regularly practising, which leads into resolution as I recommit to follow Jesus as my guide and Lord.

THE RULE OF LIFE

My Rule of Life is a document of my rhythms that remind me of my deepest and truest desire – to follow Jesus with all of my life.

The Rule of Life has been such a gift to me, but it didn’t come from making an idealised version of myself. Instead, it came from asking questions and experimenting.

We grow primarily by reflecting on our experience, so it’s really helpful to start with reflection, which is a huge part of formation. You start building it through questions which you can find in Pete Scazzero’s literature – about activities that fill you with delight or deplete you. Then you can ask which disciplines make you go “yippee!”. What do you naturally love to do? You’re made specifically and beautifully to express these unique things that you enjoy in the body of Christ.

UPSTREAM OR DOWNSTREAM?

Paul says, “Follow me as I follow Christ” – you’re called to model a way of life. But often, what that looks like is vulnerability in weakness. There are areas where I feel like I’m literally swimming upstream every day.

An ‘upstream’ practice for me is hospitality. It takes an extra layer of energy and planning for me to be hospitable with my material resources, home, space, time and energy. Another is daily affirmation over people closest to me because I tend to start with judgment.

On the other hand, my ‘downstream’, my ‘yippees’ recently have been spiritual reading and mindfulness, with a book called Welcoming Prayer: Consent on the Go.

Also, something I legitimately look forward to every morning is the blessing I speak over myself. This comes from inspiration from Henry Nouwen and his Inner Voice of Love. He talks about how claiming and blessing your belovedness in Jesus is the most important and most difficult truth of life.

So, I have a daily blessing that I give before I read Scripture or do mindfulness. I say, “Jarin, you are known and loved by Jesus Christ. You are a beloved child of God and a son of the resurrection.” Then, the second part comes from the Mennonite community: “Stay calm, stay connected, and stay the course.”

REGULAR FASTING

The form of fasting that has been most prevalent in my life is standing in solidarity with the poor and hungry.

I regularly serve people in need in the city, and from that came the idea of fasting regularly and breaking my fast with this community, of using the financial and material resources I’m choosing to give up to help an organisation I love and believe in.

That spiritual discipline came up organically from proximity to need, and I would encourage any youth worker to survey the needs of their area. Maybe fasting could be a beautiful way to stand in solidarity spiritually and begin interceding with your body, standing on behalf of people, and also giving and being hospitable.

Jarin Oda is pastor of youth at Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon.