Spirit-Centered Moment: by Rev. Sara Wilson

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.