Bring your whole self to God

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 8 BCP 230)

If you've ever read through Paul's seminal letter to the Romans, you'll know he put his mind to work writing it. Paul uses every trick and device of reason and scripture to appeal to the new Christians living in Rome. He uses his great reasoning skills to bring to fruit some of the best theology we have from the Bible. He outlines faith in Christ and begins the Church's understanding of Christology, he outlines justification by faith and God's work of salvation through Christ. 

Paul didn't have tradition or the Church to fall back on when he started writing his letters. He didn't have the Gospel books of Mark, Matthew, Luke or John. He had conversations with Jesus and the other apostles. He had faith and a deep prayer life. He had his mind and all the skills God had created him with. 

When it comes to our spiritual lives, we are not asked to leave our minds and reasoning behind. We are invited to bring our whole being into relationship with God, including all our doubtful thoughts and confusing logic. With our whole being involved in connecting to God, our reason can also be called upon to help our faith and community. The stories of the apostles and prophets show us the amazing work God can do when we show up with our whole being.