in the school of mystics…
I took this test - from the Upper Room the other day and I found it both helpful and affirming. (I was reminded of it by my blogging friend - Brian Eberley) It reinforces an idea of mine that our temperament and our “personality” can actually be transformed. For many years while I was in full time Youth Ministry I proudly wore the badge of Type A - driven personality. I found that to be something that could excuse my plowing people over and being emotionally and relationally unengaged…
But over time I came to see that Type A personality in my life for what it was - an excuse to sin! After my life began to come apart at the seams I sought God in new ways (new to me - not new mind you - actually kind of ancient ways!) and over time I began to be put back together.
That was nearly 10 years ago and I have attempted to stay on the path that I started journeying on for that amount of time. So it was a real joy to see some of the results of this test and others like it. It is not scientific or even close to 100% accurate - it does however reveal that a transformation has taken place in my life! That is encouraging to me. God does transform us. It is a mystery how it happens, often slowly and over time, bit by bit God rearranges, replaces, composts, and recycles our sin and brokenness to create us into a whole new creation that honors Him.
So anyway the test I took - reveals that I am part of the school of the mystics (a far cry from the driven results oriented, just the facts kinda guy I tried to be [and thought was desireable] in my earlier days of youth ministry).
The Test Results Write Up:
You are a Mystic, known for your imaginative, intuitive spirituality. You value peace, harmony, and inner silence. Mystics are nurtured by walking alone in the woods or sitting quietly with a trusted friend. You may also enjoy poetry, meditation, wordless prayer, candles, art, books, and anything else that helps you connect with God.
Mystics experience God best through rich images and symbols. You are contemplative, introspective, intuitive, and focused on an inner world as real to you as the exterior one. Hearing from God is more important to you than speaking to God. Others may attribute human characteristics to God, but you see God as ineffable, unnamable, and more vast than any known category. You are intrigued by God’s mystery.
Mystics want to inspire and persuade others, and need to live lives of significance. At times you push the envelope of spirituality, helping the rest of us imagine who we might become if we followed your lead.
Sometimes you may feel a bit guilty about your need for solitude and silence. If so, you probably have bought into the American myth that says being alone and doing nothing is lazy, antisocial, and unproductive. Stop it — now. Give yourself permission to retreat and be alone. It’s essential for your well-being.
On the other hand, don’t get so carried away retreating that you become a recluse. That only deprives the world of your gifts and deprives you of the lessons that come from being with others. Some Mystics may have a true vocation for solitary prayer, but the rest of you need to alternate retreat time with involvement and interaction.
Famous Mystics:
Thomas Merton | Enya | John (the Gospel writer) |
Brother Lawrence (Practicing the Presence of God) |
Desert mothers and fathers | Charlie Brown |
Sister Wendy | Phoebe Buffay (Friends) | Julian of Norwich |
Luke | Anthony de Mello
Hey if you want to try the test check it out over at The Upper Rooms Spirituality program called Method - X
[…] Content Keyword RSS wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt […]
Interesting test, and some great questions to ponder.
You are a Sage, characterized by a thinking or head spirituality. You value responsibility, logic, and order. Maybe that’s why you were voted “Most Dependable” by your high school classmates. Structure and organization are important to you. What would the world be like without you? Chaos, that’s what! Your favorite words include should, ought, and be prepared. What makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof it’s tradition! tradition! tradition!
Because you love words, written or spoken, you enjoy a good lecture, serious discussions, and theological reflection. Prayer for you usually is verbal. You thrive on activity and gatherings of people, such as study groups. Sages on retreat likely would fill every day with planned activities, leaving little time for silence or solitude.
We need Sages for your clear thinking and orderly ways. You pay attention to details that others overlook. Sages make contributions to education, publishing, and theology. You often are the ones who feel a duty to serve, give, care, and share with the rest of us.
On the other hand, sometimes you seem unfeeling, too intellectual, or dry. Can you say “dogmatic”? You may need to experience the freedom of breaking a rule or two every now and then. God’s grace covers Sages too, you know!
Famous Sages:
Mr. Spock | Dilbert | Elrond
Dietrich Bonhoeffer | Maya Angelou | Linus (Peanuts)
Yoda (Star Wars) | Andy Griffith | Mr. Miyagi
The Buddha | Rodin’s The Thinker | Moses
Ross Geller | Matthew (the Gospel writer) | Tiger Woods
Thanks Todd - yeah that makes a lot of sense… you are my complete opposite! Although I bet that if the test rated a persons second tendencies that would be my 2nd.
I think you’re a Type A mystic myself. And I mean that in a good way!
by the way, it says I’m a mystic, too.
Perhaps the test is flawed.
most definitely!!
I could have guessed you were a mystic just by looking at the descriptions.
No big surprise, I’m a mystic too! LOL … a snarky mystic. hehehehe.
But on the Scot McKnight Hermeneutics test, I’m a progressive … so does this make me a progressive mystic? Hmmmm …. or mystically progressive? I wonder how this all fits in with MBTI stuff? It’s interesting.
well I don’t dig the “labels” but… in broad sweeps it may be helpful… or not!?
oh and I scored a 68 on mcknight’s pigeon hole test… making me “progressive” but just barely - probably a mod-prog that’s a cool tag!