8 moves is a strategy for spiritual growth and connection, a pilgrimage of sorts, a grand plot line from the beginning of time to the end. If we go on this journey together we will all contribute to the story. Perhaps we will even have a testimony of our transformation. This Creation staged pilgrimage contemplates the elements of creation that give us clues and signposts on the road of life. The study of creation can show us that we are all products of a combination of forces and elements. We share a series of embedded traits inherent in creation. At the core these characteristics and traits resonate within all of us. Our existence and experience are products of divine creative force in everyplace. This is our reality, the depth of resonating traits; We will explore eight domains of the universe mentioned in Genesis 1, and then discover the moves that most appropriately respond to these realities.
Keep in mind some guiding principles as we go forward: 1) There are certain realities and corresponding appropriate responses. 2) At its most simple level it is a contemplative prayer practice triggered by creation; a response to our perceived realities. 3) Simple responses to the prompting of the creation are spiritual. 4) The relationship we have to Creation, and our response, can be a form of discipleship, spiritual formation and spiritual practice. As an example of the power of spiritual practice, I wrote the following “intros” while walking the streets of my home town. As I connect to the land, air, and sunshine of creation, I’m inspired to be productive and make a difference in the world. I want each writing to be both philosophical and practical. We need to be intentional about our thinking and moving. Here are some of my most recent summary statements, attempting to show the direction 8 Moves is taking. Here is each of the 8 Moves themes and a teaching participle (underlined below). Are these possible teaching objectives?
1. Light & Seeking: The first thing created was light. It may not appear that light was created to provide sight. There is a coordination between; it took a long time to fulfill its potential. First day, energy, third day photosynthesis, fifth day light sensitive cells. The process of energy transfer and illumination took great amounts of time. Eventually we learn to see. Examples of our response to light and truth include: Seeing, believing, vision, focusing, aiming, goal setting, understanding, appreciating beauty and design.
Some of benefits of light contemplating moves the theme of light: When we cooperate with the realities of the creation, for example by using our eyes to see, aided by the light available, we discover knowledge and become enlightened. This is one example that can also include the rest of the ways we perceive things and reason about truth and existence. The goal of this area of the 8 Moves is to learn how to think and communicate with each other. How to receive truth, in preparation for decision making.
2. Water & Flowing: liquid flows around obstacles, flushing debris through waterways, preventing things from getting stacked up and plugged up. It is free flowing and responsive to its environment. It gives us insight into effective decision making and the gift of being. Being like water keeps us moving forward and keeps us from being stopped up by indecision. Examples of our water and flow movements include: action, direction, appropriate decision, impact, force, power, and contentment.
Some of the benefits of contemplating the theme of water: Flow, effectively responding to needs within our environment. Bruce Lee’s daughter wrote a book about him titled, “Be Water My Friend.” There is a gravitas to the idea of a water-like discernment. The Hebrew word for glory means heavy or weighty. Discerning correct choices within the magnitude of possibilities around us. Living weighty and powerful lives, full of goodness, and mercy. Effectively responding appropriately to circumstances, and problems in the world.
3. Land & Grounding: it’s not enough to stand on the surface of this planet, we move and engage the environment in a variety of ways. We sit, stand, walk, run, race, travel, we run errands and manage the resources of the land to prepare for the future. Over a long period we hope there would be progressive conservation. The gravity of the situation couldn’t be more important, care for the planet care for all living things by managing caloric intake for life. We move to eat; responsibly nurturing nature.
Some of the benefits of contemplating the theme of land: Interconnected with the land is plantlife. Our relationship would include what we eat and what animals eat. Photosynthesis captures the energy of the sun and transfers that energy to nearly every living thing on the planet. Our interaction with the geology and geography gives us a picture of the laws of sowing and reaping as well as the spiritual lessons of balance, grounded-ness, stability, faith on the firm foundation is a rock. Our homes, car, and many other technological inventions are an extension of our imagination and the resources of the earth.
4. Time & Training: the signs in the sky signify days, months and years. Our perception of time is dependent on our perspective and perception. It’s time to make peace with time. If we allow our traditional day planner and calendar to speak to our perspective. during Significant and special days, holidays and sacred times of the year will become points of peace and opportunities to rededicate ourselves going forward. Some of our time bound moves include: observation, reflection, planning, organizing, counting, measuring, storing, and project managing.
The benefits of contemplating the theme of time: The measuring of movement in a variety of ways trains us to be more than we are right now. Many subjects are included in this theme: timing with the cycles of days, weeks, months, years; related to time we have hope and peace; Our orientation toward the past, present, and future; we create goals, strategize, and plan; as athletes (and we are all athletes) we measure our progress, create statistical reports, we make goals concerning our physical progress, including endurance, flexibility, strength, speed, and metabolic health.
5. Life & Being: we have been thrown into this existence by a force unknown but among billions of other uniquely the same animals. The unique design of life appears to have some greater purpose. The struggles, desires and joys also appear to have a great purpose. Even those of us that struggle with the problem of evil compare that problem to a greater ideal of truth, power, and love.
Some of the benefits of contemplating the theme of life: Loving our community is the core of our experience. In the same way that Christ’s work on the cross was accomplished because of love, we participate a community that experiences the intimacy of joy and sorrow.
6. Work & Producing: Survival requires effort and for humanity, that effort can and should go beyond animal instinct and subsistence living. This is the idea behind vocational calling. We are designed for a special purpose. Our work is the conduit for a loving care, uniquely engaged for the nurturing of our families; those families extending beyond our homes into neighborhood and community responsibility.
Some of the benefits of contemplating the theme of work: We have been uniquely designed to contribute to the community by being productive. As we find a way to obey our calling, we find significance in the mosaic of integrating individuals into a unique cultural whole.
7. Rest & Gracing: our need to break from work aligns us with the cycles of time we have discovered in creation. There is something rhythmic in our bodies, they resonate like a marching cadence, making our existence mathematical and beautiful as we expend energy, then it is restored, as god provides for our existence. Getting attuned to it is key to a healthy soul.
Some of the benefits of contemplating the theme of rest: Our world has a shortage of grace. Submitting to the cycles and covenant commands within the Judea-Christian worldview brings life. We must trust in Providence, that God provides, as we are taking a break to review and rehearse the work of God is a way of honoring Sabbath.
8. Rebirth & Co-creating: The Rebirth moves could include: artistry, mentorship, newness, proclamation, worship, recreating, repurposing the old ways to the new — all give reason for new life. We want to find “reason-able” potential to co-create with God. We think this could bring deep meaning to an incarnational life mission. The joy of finally finding our place in the universe makes the struggle worthwhile. And there’s beauty in our helping to bring others into that Transcendence.
Here are some of the benefits of our resurrection perspective. New moves, new creation, as we contemplate the theme of rebirth: We are called to be Christlike, to live a new life, to answer the call and commandment of Christ by being missional. These are just a few of the possiblities within the resurrection life.