Spiritual Perspectives
Life is Good for Growing Things

By Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols
Special to The Independent

A popular Christian author, Barbara Johnson, published a day-by-day calendar of different quotations. A recent quote was "life is good for growing things." At quick glance, one might understand that this means we are to plant some seeds and nurture some plants life is good and we are to grow things. But wait! What if we are the things that are growing? Perhaps our own growth is the purpose of living!

This leads to some questions. Are you growing? Are you trying new things? Are you learning? And what about spiritual growth? Does the phrase "blind faith" describe you?

I've had the opportunity to meet many people and to listen to their beliefs and ideas about that which we call the spiritual. Recently I heard someone explain that she was searching she wanted to develop a relationship with God. This searching is part of her spiritual growth. However, when another person then shared her beliefs, the first interrupted and told her exactly what to believe. This gets in the way of spiritual growth that of others as well as our own.

Spiritual growth demands an open mind and an open heart. Not only must we learn to accept and learn from others, we must also accept our own questioning. Questioning is part of spiritual growth. In fact, our faith becomes personal faith through our questions through the dark night of the soul.

We move through our questions and confusion by using spiritual practices, such as reading, praying, meditating, journaling, discussing spirituality, and participating in the worship rituals of our faith. These are all part of our spiritual growth. Herein, then, is the essence of life because it is true, "life is good for growing things" and for growing souls!

Rev. M. Linda Rounds-Nichols is responsible for Agape Ministries, an ecumenical service ministry mission of the catholic apostolic Church of Antioch. The Church of Antioch is an independent catholic [universal] denomination. It is a sacramental church that offers a traditional style of worship and that encourages people to find their own personal spiritual truth. Agape Ministries: 863-2717. Church of Antioch: www.churchofantioch.org

This column is the result of a desire by community members, representing different faith communities, wishing to share their ideas about bringing a spiritual perspective into our daily lives and community issues.

For information about contributing a guest column, contact Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola at the Independent: (505) 863-8611, ext. 218 or lizreligion01@yahoo.com