Finding the Spiritual Outer Edge

Where are the edges in our lives? Where are the edges of our existence? Many of us know what our physical edges are: the distance we can run flat out before we have to stop; the farthest we can swim without feeling the need to touch bottom; the highest we can jump; or the longest we can go without sleep. There are many edges to our physical existence, but what about our spiritual edges.

Spiritual edges are more nebulous. I know I can stay silent for several days on a spiritual retreat, but is that my limit for listening for God's voice and the Holy Spirit's guidance? I know I can fast for more than a day, but is that really how far I can go without food in my desire to humble myself before God? I know that I can pray continuously for an hour or more, but I wonder could I pray continually for a whole night beseeching God's mercy and giving thanks? I wonder about these things, because unlike my physical edges, which I confront often, especially as I get older, I don't think I have found the edges of my spiritual life.

Lent is surely a way to begin to find spiritual edges, but I have already hit the bar of spiritual discipline over a 40 day period. I want more from my spiritual life, because I sense that the edge of my spiritual existence, the depth of my soul, is like a deep, clear pool. I can gaze into the pool and see the round stones filling the bottom, but I can't judge its depth. Its far deeper than I realize.