THE PRACTICE OF NOTS

Spiritual practices tend to highlight things you're supposed to do: read your Bible, pray, journal, serve, and give generously, to name a few. These are all great and needed actions that align our hearts and mind while centering our focus on Christ. Each traditional response requires us to say, "Yes, I will do this," and get moving. When it comes to our faith, we're often led to believe that our answer should always be YES. But, what if our willingness to say NO possesses the capacity to also fuel our intimacy with God and the transformation of our souls?

We want to introduce you to "The Practice of Not's." These practices force us to stop, slow everything down, and ponder. See what kinds of stories and emotions emerge when our typical patterns and tendencies encounter resistance. A battle occurs as we reflect on the WHY: why do we respond or think this way? Why do we justify our actions or words? Engaging in the Practice of Not's helps us understand our heart's true affections and longings. By deliberately saying NO or refusing to do things we're naturally inclined to do, we create a void. It's in that space that we allow something else to rise and fill it. God's presence and grace meet us there.