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The 8 Moves approach to spiritual growth connects the rhythms of creation with core human traits. As Jesus said, “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength.” To align with the 8 Moves they are reordered below. Each Move is connected to one of the four core traits listed below. The Creation connection of 8 Moves helps guide personal growth in these four areas:
Four Human Traits
- Mind (Discernment):
Cultivating clarity, wisdom, and focus through reflection and study.
Moves: Light, Water - Strength (Humility):
Building resilience and staying grounded in faith and truth.
Moves: Land, Time - Heart (Connection):
Nurturing relationships, love, and unity.
Moves: Life, Work - Soul (Transformation):
Embracing spiritual renewal, aligning with God’s purposes, and finding peace.
Moves: Rest, Rebirth
Light
- Truth: Light illuminates, revealing truth.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV). - Revelation: Light brings hidden things into view, symbolizing divine understanding.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ESV). - Clarity: Light provides vision and understanding.
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV). - Guidance: Light provides direction.
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 ESV).
Water
- Flow: Water adapts, symbolizing the ability to move with life’s challenges.
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38 ESV). - Refreshment: Water represents renewal.
“But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.” (John 4:14 ESV). - Adaptability: Water’s form adjusts to its environment.
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” (Isaiah 58:11 ESV). - Cleansing: Water purifies spiritually and physically.
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.” (Ezekiel 36:25 ESV).
Land
- Stability: Land provides a foundation.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 18:2 ESV). - Grounding: Connection to land brings balance.
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1 ESV). - Identity: Land connects to one’s heritage.
“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7 ESV). - Stewardship: Land symbolizes responsibility for God’s creation.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15 ESV).
Time
- Rhythm: Time reflects life’s cycles.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV). - Seasons: Time brings phases of growth and change.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV). - Perspective: Time gives us context for past, present, and future.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 ESV). - Training: Time allows for growth in discipline and wisdom.
“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV).
Life
- Growth: Life involves continual development and maturity.
- “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12 ESV)
Abundance: Life is marked by spiritual vitality and fullness.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
Community: Life flourishes through relationships and mutual support.
“For just as the body is one and has many members… so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV)
Joy: Life reflects the gladness and delight found in God’s presence.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
Life
Growth: Life involves continual development and maturity.
“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12 ESV)
Abundance: Life is marked by spiritual vitality and fullness.
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
Community: Life flourishes through relationships and mutual support.
“For just as the body is one and has many members… so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV)
Joy: Life reflects the gladness and delight found in God’s presence.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
Work
Purpose: Work reflects our calling and direction under God.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
Creativity: Work is a space for imaginative and diligent expression.
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance.” (Proverbs 21:5 ESV)
Contribution: Work allows us to serve and meet the needs of others.
“…labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”(Ephesians 4:28 ESV)
Stewardship: Work invites us to faithfully manage what God entrusts to us.
“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV)
Rest
Contentment: Rest cultivates peace beyond striving.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1 ESV)
Trust: Rest relies on God’s provision and care.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
Restoration: Rest renews the soul and body.
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3 ESV)
Delight: Rest invites us into joy and holy pause.
“If you call the Sabbath a delight… then you shall take delight in the Lord.” (Isaiah 58:13–14 ESV)
Rebirth
Transformation: Rebirth brings spiritual renewal and change.
“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
New Creation: Rebirth initiates a completely new beginning.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
Hope: Rebirth opens the way for restored future and purpose.
“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope…” (1 Peter 1:3 ESV)
Spirit-Empowered: Rebirth is fueled by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
Holistic Approach to Spiritual Growth
By integrating the 8 Moves with the four core human traits—Mind, Strength, Heart, and Soul—this strategy offers a balanced and comprehensive approach to spiritual development, enabling individuals to live in alignment with God’s design.
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This framework of the 8 Moves is designed to help you align with God’s purpose and engage with the world through spiritual practices.