Fasting, Solitude and Submission

Class date: February 6th, 2009

This week’s lecture was on Fasting and Inner Spiritual Disciplines, including solitude and submission. John, Mat, Ben and Joanna were present.

Our discussion this week had a bit of a twist, in that we had Group 6 and our Professor Jason Mills join us. With having Jason facilitate the questions and reflection it was unique to have the outspoken calmed. In the past couple of weeks no one seemed to hesitate on their thoughts, yet this day it seemed some were afraid to speak up. Was this just a deeper reflection of one self given the nature of the topic? Perhaps it was having a larger group then normal?

John spoke of his feeling of being convicted to silence. The conversation then pulled a sharp turn to someone in the other group feeling as though if they did submit to “shutting up”, that could appear as giving up. Remarks tossed between submission being a negative thing, to submission only looking like it is a negative thing. When it comes down to it, silence can speak more then words. Michael confessed that he sometimes does not say enough and would like to have more words of wisdom. Both Christy and John enthusiastically encouraged him that sometimes things do not need to be said. Joanna made mention that Michael is a true example of speaking God’s love through Silence. He often clears everyone’s plates in the dining room and is always helping people out with out being asked.

Later, the question was posed to the group: out of the spiritual disciplines learned recently were there any commitments anyone would like to make? Jason would like to fast more on a routine basis, Ben has committed to ten minutes of solitude per day, Amanda wants to learn how to not feel like she needs to justify herself, or fit in when she is with people, and Joanna would like to only speak when it is necessary while being cautious of others feelings with how it is said. John completed his challenge of not smoking one time in the last week, and reflected on God instead. He admitted he likes a challenge and agreed to be re-challenged, only this time reading the Bible for the five minutes he would go out for a smoke.

In closing, we prayed for each other for God to assist us in our commitments and growth.