Creation,Vocation,Crisis and Rest: A Creational Model for Spirituality

Abstract

People of the church today join with persons of every generation in asking the fundamental questions of life: “Who am I?,” “What should I do?,” “How can I cope?,” “Where can I find wholeness?” These are spiritual questions that go to the heart of human existence. This article proposes a creational model based on Genesis 1–3 for addressing these questions in a practical manner in the church. The model considers four contexts for the experience of human spirituality: Creation, Vocation, Crisis and Rest. Each context relates to one of the fundamental questions above: (1) “Who am I?” In the context of Creation, spirituality involves being what God has created us to be: Persons of worth who have a unique relationship with God, who enjoy God's creation, and who find belonging in community; (2) “What should I do?” In the context of Vocation, spirituality involves doing what God has created us to do: Promote order/stability and life/creativity within divinely-set boundaries; (3) “How can I cope?” In the context of Crises, spirituality involves coping by means of trusting God and remaining faithful to our creational identity and calling; And (4) “Where can I find wholeness?” In the context of Rest, spirituality requires movement into the sacred time of Sabbath where God re-creates life within us, moving us toward wholeness.