GROWING TOGETHER

The Bump, Bump Test
Looking over the Six Traditions of the Church—the varied dimensions of the spiritual life—and thinking about movements that represent them, identify the area that you would consider to be your greatest strength. Which comes the most naturally? Which would you consider your weakest?

The dimensions of the spiritual life are much like a wheel. A wheel is formed by placing spokes around a center hub. Each spoke must be equally strong and equally long in order for the wheel to function properly. If any spoke is too short, the wheel may still roll, but it will thump distinctly with the effort, not functioning as it should.

Draw a wheel with hub and six spokes but no rim. Now number each spoke one through six and match the following description with the corresponding number.

1—Contempative: Spending time with God in prayer and meditation.
2—Holiness: Having pure thoughts, words, and actions, and overcoming temptation.

3—Charismatic: Welcoming the Holy Spirit while nurturing and exercising my spiritual gifts.
4—Social Justice: Helping others less fortunate than I.
5—Evangelical: Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and reading the Scriptures.
6—Incarnational: Unifying the sacred /secular areas of my life while showing forth God's presence.

Take a few moments, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being the least proficient), estimate where you are in each area on the wheel spokes. Place dots at those points; then connect the dots from spoke to spoke to form a ring around the hub. After connecting the dots, ask yourself the following question: Does my wheel go bump, bump?

Now, take a closer look at those areas that have made your "wheel" go flat, areas where you gave yourself a score of, say, five or less. As you prayerfully consider these Streams, see if you begin to be drawn toward one of them, thinking, "This is an area of life I really want to explore." Do not jump too quickly. Wait patiently until there is a stirring of the heart, a "divine nudging," a "holy desiring." Don't worry if the rising desire is