This month we continue diving into Spiritual Temperaments and talk about my personal favorite: SOUL. I am a soul person through and through. The two main temperaments that encompass Soul are Naturalist and Ascetics.
Naturalists hearts open up to God and connect with the Holy Spirit when they get outdoors and in God’s creation. . God seems more real and tangible to them when they’re seeing and smelling nature in its purest form. Imagine with me for a moment, you are sitting alongside a small creek, the sounds of the babbling water singing to you in a Heavenly Rhythm. Your skin is warmed by the sun, and the birds are singing as they fly from tree to tree. The air has a fresh scent, as every breath you take seems to fill your lungs with a new energy for life.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Friends, if that moment calmed your heart and had you longing for a weekend getaway in nature, then this is your spiritual temperament and you are a SOUL.
Ascetics prefer to meet God internally. They desire to shut out the world and its distractions and meet God plainly through solitude and simplicity. For ascetics, the best environment to connect with the Holy Spirit is a quiet place, such as a prayer closet or quiet office. They usually don’t enjoy participating in group worship as it does not feel personal to them. Times of fasting and meditation truly fill the soul of the Ascetic and they may practice these disciplines often throughout the year.
Ezra 8:21 I called for a fast there by the Ahava Canal, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and seek from him a safe journey for us, our children, and all our property.
If you are a SOUL Spiritual Temperament here are some ideas of how to grow deeper with the Lord this season, and truly connect on a more intimate level with the Holy Spirit:
Naturalist - Take some time each day to stand where the sun can warm your face. Pray during those minutes thanking God for his warmth and protection. Just as the Sun covers the Earth with heat, His love covers you.
When possible, stand barefoot on the Earth (grass, dirt, leaves). This is how Adam and Eve walked through the Garden having direct contact with the dirt of the ground from where they came.
Ascetics - Find a quiet place in your home where you can shut out all the distractions and be in solitude with The Lord. Sometimes this is your car, the bathroom, or your office.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas where you can practice fasting, whether it be food, social media, TV, etc. During the time of fasting read the Bible daily and seek Him wholly.
You can nourish your soul with private worship. Whether it be music, dancing, praying, or singing, you can connect with with Holy Spirit personally by offering time in solitude, where you are seeking and listening.
I pray you have found your temperament and participate in the things that deepen and strengthen your connection to the Holy Spirit. Next month we will examine the last of the temperaments: STRENGTH.
Praying for you to DISCOVER, DEEPEN and DREAM
Roberta Quimson
I loved this read. I didn't realize this but I think I could be both Natural and Ascetic.