Discovering the sacramental life is the central focus of the incarnational tradition. “The Incarnational Stream of Christian life and faith focuses upon making present and visible the realm of the invisible spirit. This sacramental way of living addresses the crying need to experience God as truly manifest and notoriously active in daily life” (Foster 238). Living according to the principles outlined in the incarnational tradition challenges us to recognize God’s sovereignty in all situations. It promotes total dependence upon God and blurs the line separating earthly and divine. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him” (Psalm 24:1 NLT). The incarnational tradition is exemplified through
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“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23 NLT). Moreover, are called to make visible the invisible realm of the spirit. Paul teaches in Romans that God’s creation reveals the invisible. “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20 NLT). In essence, “we are to take this life and incorporate it into all we are and all we do. We bring it into daily life: into our homes, into our work, into our relationships [...] Here we come to the most fundamental arena for the Incarnational Tradition: the arena of everyday life” (Foster 263).
I plan to grow in and apply this tradition to my life by first recognizing that the secular and spirit world coexist. “Indeed, the very presence of God is manifest in the smallest, most mundane of daily activities” (Foster 266). Next, I will choose to view my work as something beyond myself. Instead, I will see it as an opportunity to co-labor with Christ that holds eternal value. Finally, this tradition has challenged me to see my responsibility to do everything to the best of my ability. “In our day special emphasis needs to be placed upon the sacredness of the work of our hands and our mind” (Foster
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23 NLT). Moreover, are called to make visible the invisible realm of the spirit. Paul teaches in Romans that God’s creation reveals the invisible. “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20 NLT). In essence, “we are to take this life and incorporate it into all we are and all we do. We bring it into daily life: into our homes, into our work, into our relationships [...] Here we come to the most fundamental arena for the Incarnational Tradition: the arena of everyday life” (Foster 263).
I plan to grow in and apply this tradition to my life by first recognizing that the secular and spirit world coexist. “Indeed, the very presence of God is manifest in the smallest, most mundane of daily activities” (Foster 266). Next, I will choose to view my work as something beyond myself. Instead, I will see it as an opportunity to co-labor with Christ that holds eternal value. Finally, this tradition has challenged me to see my responsibility to do everything to the best of my ability. “In our day special emphasis needs to be placed upon the sacredness of the work of our hands and our mind” (Foster