Not of the letter, but of the spirit
A verse came to me last night, and I slept on it.
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6)
It gave me hope, that the spiritual is something more than rules and punishments. Many of us were probably brought up with the feeling that we did not choose faith, rather faith was forced onto us. A faith backed by letter, and seemingly not by spirit. This is not uncommon.
After all, when we are children, this is simply the reality - we often do not have a choice. It is a practical part of growing up, so that we can be cared for in basic ways such as by food, drink and shelter without the physical responsibility of having to procure those things. Love however, is more tricky than that. Love is what we must each learn for ourselves.
Being forced to do anything is traumatic, and trauma can lead to blame, usually blame directed towards parents and other adults, figures of authority. When I see spirit in the above verse, I see a stepping aside from blame. Something we can only do once we are ready to, and not a moment before that. Stepping aside from blame, and leaning into understanding. Stepping aside from the letter, and leaning into spirit.
My approach to spirituality is through the spirit, although I am a writer and I have great respect for the letter. Whatever I write is not to be considered right, it is not to be taken for true. When I write, it is an invitation to come and see. To travel, to explore and to see for yourself how spirituality feels to you. My blog might be your starting point, your space to reflect and consider the role of the spirit in your own life.
Tomorrow, I will be starting to make my journey towards Italy. If you are willing, you can walk alongside me.
- B.R. Faye
May these words be less about me, and more about the path. May they meet whoever needs them, in whatever way they need them.