A Reflection by the Rev. Sara Wilson
Director of Seminary Relations, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, California Lutheran University
Pause.
Breathe.
Pray.
Repeat.
This simple contemplative mantra has carried me through countless tough times and saved me from hitting “send” too soon on many replies to upsetting and unsettling emails, texts, and social media posts.
We live in a time where responses are expected promptly, our minds are conditioned to want to respond immediately, and our fingers move on keyboards and smartphones like they have been pre-programmed with answers before questions have even been asked. It should therefore not be a surprise that our brains are often tired and we feel “hooked” on the need to be tethered to devices and people all the time.
Somehow in the quest for greater connection, we have become more disconnected from God and our own spirits than ever before.
In today’s Spirit-centered moment, I invite you to engage with me in a spiritual practice called contemplative photography. That’s right…use your device! Try this. Take a short “holy pause” break and go find something or someplace that will give you a Spirit-centered moment with God. The contemplative photo I am sharing with you today is a photo that I took during a short hike up a hill at Cal Lutheran last February at sunrise. As you take your photo, receive from God the gifts of that moment and receive the photograph of that time and space and experience. Hold that moment in your heart and give thanks for what it is. Take a few more moments to receive the peace that surpasses all understanding with God and then continue on with your day. And maybe share your photo with someone else who needs a little support in finding a holy pause and prayer in their day, too.
You are a blessing.
Email your contemplative photos and wonderings about life, faith, PLTS, and CLU to swilson@plts.edu.