"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." ā Psalm 23:3 (ESV)
In the Lutheran tradition, stewardship often focuses on time, talent, and treasure. However, we can expand this view to include a sacred responsibility: tending to our own wellnessābody, mind, and spirit. This is an essential part of our discipleship journey.
šæ Restoration as Divine Initiative
Psalm 23:3 begins with a beautiful promise: "He restores my soul." In Lutheran theology, restoration is not something we achieve on our own; it is a gift of grace. God initiates our healing and meets us in our weariness, grief, and fragmentation. This verse encourages us to view wellness not as a personal accomplishment but as a divine gift to be received and nurtured.
To steward our wellness means honoring the ways God is already active in our lives. This can happen through rest, ritual, community, and care. We must create space for the Spirit's renewing presence, especially during times of sorrow or burnout.
š¤ļø Paths of Righteousness and the Practice of Wholeness
The latter part of the verseā"He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake"āreminds us that wellness is not just about feeling better. It's about being guided. In Lutheran thought, righteousness is not about moral perfection. Instead, it represents a right relationship with God, our neighbors, and ourselves.
Walking the path of righteousness means living in alignment with God's grace. It involves being honest about our limits, seeking support when necessary, and cultivating rhythms that reflect God's justice and mercy. Wellness becomes a communal and ethical practice, rather than just a personal one.
š§ Lutheran Distinctives: Vocation, Grace, and Embodied Faith
From a Lutheran perspective, the stewardship of wellness is deeply connected to the concept of vocation. Martin Luther taught that everyone has a callingānot just clergy. Caring for our wellness allows us to live out our vocations with integrity and joy. Whether we are parents, teachers, artists, or caregivers, how well we tend to our own souls shapes our ability to serve others.
Grace plays a central role in this journey. We do not earn wellness through hard work or perfection. Instead, we receive it as a gift and respond with gratitude. This gift liberates us from shame and invites us into compassionate self-care.
Additionally, Lutheran theology affirms the goodness of the body. We are not disembodied souls waiting for heaven; we are embodied beings called to live fully in the present. Stewarding our wellness means honoring our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs as integral to our discipleship.
šø Practical Invitations for Ministry and Daily Life
Here are some ways we can embody the stewardship of wellness in our community and personal lives:
Rituals of Restoration: Create spaces for lament, blessing, and renewal in worship or small groups.
Intergenerational Sharing: Invite stories of healing and struggle across age groups to foster empathy and connection.
Visual Prompts: Use symbolic objects (e.g., stones, water, candles) to represent restoration and guidance.
Facilitator Guides: Equip leaders with prompts and practices that support emotional safety and spiritual depth.
Secular Adaptation: Frame wellness as a shared human journey, using Psalm 23 as poetic grounding rather than doctrinal assertion.
Embracing Our Journey Together
As we explore these practices, let us remember that we are on this journey together. The stewardship of wellness is a collective effort, where we support one another in our growth and healing. By nurturing our own wellness, we empower ourselves and those around us.
We invite you to join us in this journey of faith and wellness. Together, we can create a community that thrives on love, compassion, and spiritual growth.
