S-p-e-e-d of Heart Living, Pt. 2

Sacred Living 

with God-Given Rhythm

Yesterday’s blog entry suggested that our physical hearts have a fundamental rhythm, the lub/dub of engagement/recovery for which to pace our lives.  Who argues with the fact that we need basic periods of activity and rest.  Author Jim Loehr suggests putting blocks of time together during the day--engaged activity (about 90 mins) and then recovery and rest (10-15 mins). The truth beats in our hearts. 

What stands behind the physical basis of life? For some of us, the Creator stands behind and within the heart beat.  Living at the speed of the heart can be a faith statement of conforming our lives around a divine principle.  If we accept the reality of a Creator, then it is not a big jump to conform our lives as the creation to the rhythm of God.  We honor our bodies as “temples of the Holy Spirit” by the way we use them.  Paul writes in I Corinthians 3:16:  “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?^”  

The Roman Catholic tradition of the sacred heart of Jesus can anchor our lives in God.  

This belief suggests that the literal, physical heart of Jesus is an objective link with us.  We can conform ourselves to Jesus, a real person, instead of just the concept of engagement and recovery in life.  The tradition of the sacred heart says that there is a real relationship between our lives and Jesus. A relationship with him goes far beyond the physical rhythm of life.   

We can still use the Loehr formula.  Change the content from work to the work of our spiritual lives. We can engage in all forms of service in the world.  Then, balance that engagement with meditation time, centering prayer, regaining focus and reflection with a journal. 

Let's look at the pattern of Jesus' ministry in Mark 2.  He is really engaged with preaching, teaching and healing the paralytic.  Then, he goes off to a "lonely place" and prays before dawn.  Heart healthy living for our spiritual lives deserves both times of engaged ministry and quiet rest in God.  Some point to the example of Mary and Martha.  Mary rests at the feet of Jesus while Martha prepares dinner.  We need both.  And both are tied to Jesus.

 

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee,

Whatever may befall me, Lord, though dark the hour may be;

In all my woes, in all my joys, though nought but grief I see,

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.