Each New Year allows an opportunity to reflect on the past and set new goals for the future. What are yours? Is there some meaningful transformation you long for?

January is my favorite month. I like to slow down, read, and just be. Fortunately, Santa brought me a good book this past Christmas, “When the Heart Waits: Spiritual Direction for Life’s Sacred Questions”, by Sue Monk Kidd, the author of the bestseller, The Secret Life of Bees.

The book is about transformation - finding and becoming who we are truly meant to be. Sue Monk Kidd reminds readers that the Greek word for soul is psyche. Spiritual journeys and psychological ones are interwoven. We seek to know both the divine and ourselves, or the divine within us. Both words, soul and psyche are often symbolized by a butterfly and Kidd uses this analogy to describe times when we are drawn inward, cocooning, and the beautiful wings we are developing. Imagine draping your big beautiful wings just where God has need of them most - your unique flight pattern in this one lifetime…

But, who has time for that kind of dreamy, wishful thinking? Who has time to read this article?? We live in an age of fast-paced acceleration. We want fast computers, instant access, multi-media options and endless opportunities. Who has time for sitting still and contemplating their life and whether the divine is involved in it?

Sue Monk Kidd states that we are becoming, “quickaholics” and that we expect our spirituality to work suddenly and painlessly, quick and easy, sort of “Mac-faith” style. For some of us, it’s a diversion. We are avoiding our lives by staying constantly busy.

“Be still, and know that I am God” states Psalm 46:10. We need some cocoon time - not simply a time of hiding - but a time of allowing God to continue creating those wings. In quiet reflective time, we hear God’s call to our true nature and our wings take shape in response. This is soul work, part of our spiritual journey in this one lifetime, or what some Christians might refer to as “the Christ within” (Col. 1:27, Phil. 1:21, Rom. 8:9-10, Eph. 4:13, 15.)

The words of Isaiah 40:31 provide affirmation, stating, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings.” Another author, Trina Paulus, who wrote “Hope for the Flowers”, a novel “for adults and others (including caterpillars who can read)” comments, “If I have inside me the stuff to make cocoons, maybe the stuff of butterflies is there too.”

This year, consider a resolution seeking spiritual transformation. Let’s soar.

Happy New Year, Pastor Nancy

About Tehachapi Congregational Church:

No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here!

The Tehachapi Congregational Church is an open and welcoming community of faith that believes that each person, created in the image of God, holds a piece of the truth. Therefore we respect each person’s unique spiritual journey. We invite you to experience the difference that religious freedom in a caring community can make in that journey.

We are located at 100 East E St., in Tehachapi. Worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Please join us for coffee and fellowship at our Friendship Hall after worship (approximately 11:30 a.m.). All are welcome.