God's Dreams

A few weeks ago, our pastor posed the question, “What are God’s dreams for you?”

What? God has dreams for me? If that’s true, they must be awesome, because God thinks big. And if He’s got dreams for me, he must have them for my kids, grandkids, friends and neighbors. And if that’s true, it’s time well spent asking Him what those dreams are.

      There have been times in my life when God has brought specific individuals or circumstances into my heart for prayer. Not just a simple request, but what the Bible refers to as 'fervent prayer' - the kind that drives you to your knees and is often accompanied by tears. Those strong nudges from within are the Spirit's urges calling us to the work of prayer.

      Sad to say, I'm not always as in tune with the Spirit's leading as I'd like to be. But when I've paid attention, it didn't take long to notice that God was up to something - and allowing me to be part of it. What could be more faith building than that? To see someone's life change or see the kingdom flourish in some way gives us a glimpse of God's dreams for us and our world.

       It's one a thing to realize that God has plans for us. But dreams ... that seems so much more integral to a Father/child relationship. It seems bigger somehow. Anything is within the realm of dreams. Just look at the immensity and variety within creation. That, too was God's dream. Wow!

      I wonder what the world would look like if all God's children considered His dreams for the world and paid close attention to the Spirit's stirrings in our prayer lives.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph 6:18)

Meditating Together

Last week I didn't do well in terms of quantity of meditation, although quality was good. Is there merit in being 'religious' about our quiet times? Perhaps. But on the other hand, if it becomes rote...

But that's something to be debated either way. (Maybe the point about it becoming rote is another excuse for someone less disciplined, as I am, to justify a habit that occurs less than daily). As I say, last week I didn't get into my quiet space very often. But a few days ago, my 'spiritual sisters' and I (three of us) spent the day together, meditating on a poem one of them brought along.

Which brings up another point. It's wonderful to meditate on scripture. But sometimes we encounter poetry or writings of Christian leaders (spiritual classics) that merit a look, turning over, peering inside. Such was the case with this poem. And to be honest, the first time I heard it, nothing happened. I had to hear it three times for some of its meaning to sink in. I heard it first as written - third person, male. The second time, the next sister read it in third person female. And finally, I read it in first person singular. Each rendering, each different voice yielding distinctive insights.

Most of the time, we consider meditation to be personal; but there's value in sharing our time of meditation now and again. Being quiet together, reading, praying, journaling, then sharing what the Spirit brings to our attention. When my SS's came, we lit my Trinity candle, settled into some comfy chairs with our coffee/tea, lit the fireplace and enjoyed deep (and sometimes light) conversation together as we gained some new insights into a poem (Having Confessed by Patrick Kavanagh) on a difficult topic. (When is confession easy?) We continued our fellowship over lunch, catching up with how God is working in the centre and periphery of each of our lives. I'm also involved in a group where we meet together to meditate and share over 90 minutes in an evening every few weeks.

So time alone with God is good, but I'm also reminded that just as I am refreshed by the Divine (Trinitarian) community, refreshment also comes in the richness of God's human community. Even in something as personal as meditation.

Different Strokes

Lest we think that our time of meditation should be modelled after someone else's, it's freeing to know that experimentation will help us find what's best in our own situation, for our own personality.

In his book, God in My Everything https://www.amazon.ca/God-My-Everything-Ancient-Rhythm/dp/0310499259, Ken Shigematsu describes his personal time with God first thing in the morning, after preparing a light breakfast. Sitting at the kitchen table, "after several minutes of silence, I put on my headphones and begin listening to a Psalm, a passage in the Gospels, or another Scripture while reading along in my Bible. I YouTube a worship song, usually one from our previous Sunday's worship service, then enter into a time of prayer in response to something that has resonated with me from that passage or song. I almost always follow this routine by jogging or swimming; after quiet contemplation, physical activity feels like an extension of my time with God."

I've used my phone for meditation now and then, but not as a rule. Just goes to show there's all kinds of ways/places/tools to try out. And ways to think about what will help us carry our light with us into our day.

There's something refreshing about how Shigematsu extends his time with God through exercise. There is no 'period' at the end of his mediation time. It's an ellipsis . . .

Isn't this how it should be? Feels like the foreshadowing of movement from this life into the next. Nothing final. Just a natural progression.

Diamond

I woke in the wee hours of the morning finding myself meditating on meditation.

What is so beautiful about the text of scripture - the Bible - is its depth and richness that seems infinite. (And of course, it is...the Word, Jesus, God's revelation to us, lives forever. He is the embodiment of the scriptures, the God-inspired written word.)

I love the lyrics of this Steve Green song:

The Word is living 

The Word is light 

The Word delights my soul, preserves my life. 

Holy and hidden, forever true 

The perfect sacrifice - our Lord...Jesus Christ.

Often when I'm meditating on a few familiar verses, something new comes to light. Something that's never 'hit me' before. It's enlivening to be surprised by new insights, by the never-ending richness of this God-breathed text. This must be how the writer of Psalm 119 felt - he certainly waxed long about his love for God's law!

Scripture is a rich multi-faceted prism - a diamond refracting the light through its many angles, sending out bright particles that catch the eye differently from various angles. There's always a new colour - a new angle to observe, to admire, to appraise. The text has power; to bring wisdom, to train us, to teach us, to correct us, to inspire us, to comfort us, to bring life and hope.

But enough on the thought of meditating...time to sit quietly in His presence. Hope you're finding joy in your journey as well.

Meditation - Week 1

Although we may be practicing more than one discipline at a time, I will be focusing on one main discipline each month. In this new year, we'll begin with the discipline of meditation in January. Regardless of faith background, it's well documented that meditation is healthy - bonus!

As an inner discipline, meditation does require time set aside in a quiet space, away from distractions.  For many people, early morning works best. The morning also allows us to focus on what's necessary at the beginning of the day, before we become involved in all the tasks at hand. Then we can hold our thoughts lightly throughout the day as we notice more related to our specific time spent in God's presence.

I've spent time in meditation several days this week (I'm not measuring - just going for improvement here, folks!). So often I've started out well, only to fail miserably - by my owns standards. Not going there this time. As I mentioned in my article (http://lightmagazine.ca/2017/01/spiritual-practices-for-the-new-year/), it's not about earning, but yearning. That one's a hard concept for me to grasp.

I've been using Seeking God's Face: Praying with the Bible Though the Year by Phil Reinders (https://www.amazon.ca/Seeking-Gods-Face-Praying-Through/dp/1592557686). It uses the practice of reading a short biblical passage, reading it again, and noticing what stands out. I find that reading it aloud slowly is most helpful. This is not about intellectual biblical study. It's about what the Spirit is bringing to your attention at that particular moment. Then, pondering the word or idea that resonates, being honest with God - asking questions, bringing concerns, feelings, and listening to the Spirit's nudging - and praying those back. This process takes time, an unhurried posture and stillness. In my experience, 20 minutes is not unreasonable, but do what feels right to you.

Reinders gives prayer suggestions and provides a closing prayer and blessing; a beautiful way to move from your carved out meditation time into the rest of your day.

Most of my mediation times this week were quite ordinary. I expect that. Still, there are insights to ponder, to question, to observe. Today went a bit deeper. A deeper yearning opened up within me (you can just never predict when that's going to happen) as I read not only the passage, but Reinders' introduction to the season of Epiphany. Jesus, the Light of the world - I was struck on so many levels by that image! I will wait to see what comes of my prayer; perhaps I will have something to share later (beginning to feel a wee bit vulnerable...)

For me, journaling is a way of bringing hidden stirrings to the surface, like cream on fresh milk. I am often surprised by what comes out when my pen meets paper. Makes the process interesting and exciting!

How's it going for you?

Twelve Disciples . . . ah, Disciplines

The twelve Spiritual Disciplines are neatly arranged into groupings of four, into three categories:

Inner disciplines:

• Meditation
• Prayer
• Fasting 
• Study

Outward Disciplines:

• Simplicity
• Solitude
• Submission
• Service

Corporate Disciplines

• Confession
• Worship
• Guidance
• Celebration

It's a daunting list, isn't it? I have to fit all of this somewhere in my already packed life? 

In his book Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster contends that these classic Spiritual Disciplines invite us into a deeper life, one that takes us beneath the superficiality that so often characterizes our existence and society. He also says that we ought not to think that they are just for 'spiritual giants', but they are actually for ordinary people like you and me, and that they are best exercised among our spouses, kids, grandkids, siblings, fellow workers, neighbors and friends. 

Hmmm...could it be that these disciplines have some rubber-meets-the-road benefit? Maybe we can debunk the oft-held myth that entering a relationship with God is impractical - a sort of 'separate life' from the ordinary, everyday goings on.