Ep 6: Practices to Prevent a Civil War (with Nina Barnes)
The Great Cloud of Witnesses, Throwing off All that Entangles, and Not Trying to Do it Alone
Today we welcome a new member of the PP&G community, Nina Barnes. Nina is a trained spiritual director and coach with a passion for accompanying others in navigating life. Through Transforming Journey, her spiritual direction and coaching practice, Nina helps people listen for and respond to possibilities...creating space to discover purpose & meaning, discern opportunities, work through challenges and conflicts, and develop as leaders. And this November, we are THRILLED that she will be one of our guides at the Malibu retreat, which still has open registration!
Episode 6
Nina begins with a confession. And her honesty allows us to exhale just a bit, knowing we’re not alone. She reflected…
“When looking at our country right now, I can get cynical…I can get angry…or I can become pastoral. And these days I’m experiencing all three.”
For the next few minutes, she generously unpacked the reasons for her anger, the reasons for her cynicism, and the deep and holy reasons that SHE WILL NOT GIVE UP. Nina grew up in and experienced legal segregation, living with and around children of those of had been enslaved. Having experienced that kind of injustice first hand, she cannot believe how our country seems to be taking steps backward: the mainstream use of dehumanizing language, demonization of “the other”, mistrust of immigrants and those who don’t look “like us”, and on and on.
Knowing that her anger is holy AND YET not an energy in which she can stay indefinitely, Nina offers two paths forward for her and for us.
Practice 1: A Reflection from the Scriptures
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 11:1-2)
Nina helps us reflect on our lives through this poetic text. And she gently unpacks these four tangible invitations:
(1) Look with hope back to the great cloud of witnesses—
both historic and in your own story.
(2) Notice and throw off every weight that slows you down.
(3) Name the sin that easily trips you up.
(4) Run the race that has been laid out for you.
As you listen to her walk through each invitation, pay particular attention to the spirit within you. Does one particular invitation draw you in? Or push you away? What is going on inside you as you listen to Nina’s words?
Practice 2: Don’t Try to Do It Alone
While some of this reflective work must be done on our own, Nina encourages us to bring the insights of our inner work into community. The spiritual life was not meant to be lived alone…we need each other! Is it time to begin meeting with a spiritual director? Or join a small group? Or get intentional with a spiritual friend who longs for the same kind of conversation? We need each other. Especially these days.
Please join Nina in this both/and work of personal reflection and communal support. And if we can help you take the next step, join Nina and the whole team in Malibu on November 18-20! Details are here. You don’t have to do it alone.
Grace and peace to you,
Aaron and The PP&G Team