I like the idea of a spiritual calendar. I need reminders to stop and consider various aspects of my relationship with God.
Some believers have an annual time of retreat alone to pray, plan and recharge. Quiet time set aside for listening is an important point on a calendar – whether daily or a more extended period of time.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. Luke 6:12
Our Jewish friends mark their calendars as God commanded them to remember as well. Passover recalls their rescue, Pentecost His provision, and Yom Kippur His Holiness.
During Yom Kippur, in light of His Holiness, the people reflect on their sin. They scour their lives for things they may have done or said and attempt to set it right. They engage in repentance, personally and corporately. Passover engages them not only in atonement but in hospitality to invite in the stranger to their celebration. Pentecost is also an exercise in generosity because God has provided.
As Christians, our calendar includes reminders of what God has done. We celebrate His incarnation at Christmas and His sacrifice on Easter, resurrection day. These are important events to remember and encourage a grateful heart. Do they similarly provoke us to self-reflection or action?
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, 1 Chronicles 16:12
Repentance, prayer, gratitude, praise – all are things I should engage in constantly. But I think it would be beneficial to set aside specific time to consider each of these more deeply, a spiritual calendar of sorts.
These appointments could easily align with the liturgical calendars mentioned but could also include a time solely for listening, a time solely for praise, an extended time to consider my sin and also my weakness, a time to repent and make amends where able. What about a time to celebrate community, the body of Christ?
Our culture is busy. Doing what – I’m not always sure. But the busy has a tendency to crowd out the important. If I’m not intentional, I will skimp on daily time praying or reading the Bible. So much more, if I am waiting for a day that is not busy to consider the deeper things. I must mark it on my calendar as an important appointment.
This idea, a spiritual calendar, is in formation for me. I’m not sure yet what it looks like. If you practice something similar I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
