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A “vibecession” has become a word in Canadian vocabulary.  This relates directly to the old word “recession”. 

Except, we thought we could quantify a recession.  We could talk about the lack of money people had in objective terms.  We set standards, as best as possible.  We could talk about the signs of recession and forecast the loss of jobs, spending power and general economic malaise.

But, economists have coined the term “vibecession” to mean our evaluation of a recession/depression are tinged by our own sense (our vibe) of what is happening.  We can be told objectively that we have reached certain standards of economic ability.  But, in what could be called a “me-cession” (and actually is called this), we determine our own truth about whether we are in a recession based on our own situations.  If you don’t have economic prowess or power, this is a “me-cession”.  And quite literally this will lead to a recession as people determine their own use of their economic “power” based on their own perception of the sustainability of the economy. 

Tell someone long enough, loud enough, and sincerely enough that they have no economic power and they will believe this.  Or, they will look at their grocery bill, utility bills and determine life is no longer prosperous.  Either way, forecasts of an upturn in the economy can be unhinged by a “vibecession”. 

PS (an old term for a thought after the thought):  This is in part a result of a society that has decided that their own truth is the truth for themselves – but in effect their truth vies with other truths to receive the transcendence in stating “what is truth”.  Which begs the question:  Does truth demand a transcendent “truth” or can we live with splintered “truths”?

On October 16, 2024 an Eston College student Zoomed me in to discuss Spiritual Theology.  Five Questions – with bullet point answers was what I was prepared to talk about. 

1.  How do you balance living a spiritual life knowing that God is both transcendent and immanent?  (Big but here)

Ecclesiastes – Fear God and Obey His commandments.  I am not deistic where God is without person – but God is not also a friend to manipulate.

2.  Why does God being immanent matter?  And how is that part of your daily living?

Presence is the present God gives.  I have grace for each day from a present God.  God is a friend for counsel and able to take me through.

3.  How would you say you imagination informs or plays into your spirituality?

God is the creator and I am made in God’s image.  Hope comes with seeing (visualization) of a situation – where I move towards an end through creativity.

4.  How has you current called affected your spirituality?

Called has called me to serve my family and wife.  I’m also called to work with churches.  There has been a transition of place and habits, an new season that calls me to be closer to God.

5.  How has prayer impacted how you live spiritually?

Pray at all times – live in the atmosphere of prayer (easier said than done).  Learn God’s prompts as God places thoughts in my mind of what God sees.  Dialogue is prayer.  In the good Anglican tradition – Worship is prayer.

The founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination (a Canadian) died on October 29, 1919.  He was born in 1843 – making him a mere 76 years old when he died.  I’m not many birthdays away from Simpson’s expiry date age.

Why does that strike me? 

Well, I have spent a number of years studying the history of the Alliance church which Simpson founded.  I was paid to research the written articles of A.B. Simpson for a book called “Birth of a Vision”, a year of paid research which I thoroughly enjoyed.  During that year the story of AB Simpson became a daily life-drama I was allowed to see unfold word by word and page by page.  Right up to his death.

If I’ve learned anything from Simpson’s life . . . Live life fully for Jesus’ sake.  Live a deeper life.  Right to death!

So today I’ve asked myself about myself:  Where am I at?  What indications of a full life can I see?  Have I stalled as though my best before date has expired?  Is there anything holding me back from going deeper? 

In the early 1990’s I was researching and exploring the whole area of spiritual formation.  I soon realized that you needed an additional adjective – Christian.  We all have spirits that are being formed, but is that formation following Jesus?

The wave of Spiritual Formation has been called the next wave of the Christian church – particularly in Western Society.  We have taken on Pentecostalism/charismatic, church growth and seeker sensitive approaches to outreach and even now are dealing with “deconstructionism”. 

While I can see the need for discipleship as a priority there is a need to remind ourselves that there is a heart to the matter along with steps to be taken.  But, forming our spirits (often prioritized by disciplines) can have a dark side.  Ian Harber (whom I have just recently run across) makes the following observation:

“In the spiritual formation wave, it’s far too easy:

• for the gospel to be assumed instead of explicit
• for Scripture to take a backseat to experience and
• for the church to become a sideshow to one’s individual journey.”

In those early years I encountered Robert Webber.  As he spoke to a class I was teaching we ventured into the topic of worship (a passion of his).  Further discussion revealed that his emphasis was really on corporate spiritual formation.  Perhaps this is an antidote to the very individualistic “my truth” adventure that many go on as they seek spiritual formation.