Psalm 131

It is said that a faithful Christ-follower can see the world more clearly than all others. Such a person is neither gullible nor cynical, neither denying the reality of evil and suffering nor overcome by them, neither puffed with confidence nor lacking sure hope. Such a person can mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Such a person is, in a word, honest. 

To see the world clearly is, as we noted in Psalms 73 and 27, to acknowledge the disorienting realities in which we live. Though our faith holds to the fact of unseen workings, it does not deny or avoid observable reality. Our faith also, as we will discover in Psalm 131, recognizes “how life with God really is.”

Psalm 131 is short, only three verses, the last a communal refrain to let the first two verses be the lived experience of God’s people. And yet, this petite poem, this “glad acceptance of life on the terms God gives,” provides us with the evaluating orientation needed to be ones who can live life honestly.

The first verse states in negative terms what would keep the psalmist from experiencing the serenity of the second verse. Verse one is a statement of innocence, the psalmist having not lifted up her heart above the LORD, having not raised his ambitions higher than the LORD’s intentions, having not wrestled to conquer greatness, nor having striven after things beyond him. The psalmist has not made himself the center of the universe, but understands her proper relation to God as “one of subordination, submission, trust, which the speaker gladly accepts.”

The second verse counters the first, positively describing the care, confidence, and freedom that comes from a willing submission to God’s motherly affections. Submission, the denial of autonomous independence and self-sufficiency, does not result in repression, but real maturity through a dependent relationship.

PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 25 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.     

PRACTICE:

READ

Read Psalm 131 slowly.

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the psalm’s statement of innocence and declaration of serenity. As you read,

·     Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.

·     Consider which verse you find yourself? Are you in verse one, grappling with the “nots,” contending with mindset and affections that would keep you from living honestly with God? Are you in verse two, enjoying (or longing to) the well-being of a child held close and yet free?

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

Reread the psalm, slowly. As you reflect on the psalm, consider the following:

·     The word or phrase or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

·     Your place in the psalm. Which of the four negatives is standing out? What aspect of a content soul most resonates (or do you most desire)?   

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the psalm one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you found yourself in the psalm.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering: your proper relation to God, what life with God really is, and what makes you desire to be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—like a child whose soul is content!  

Psalm 73

We love the psalms of triumph. Prayed songs that orient our worship and bring coherence to our varied experiences of everyday life. These psalms, like psalms 33, 8, 119, 131, and many more help to stabalize us. They insist that God does govern, rule, and order, regardless of what the evidence of our media suggests. Perhaps that’s why we are drawn to them so because, what we often experience in the world is disorientation.

Psalm scholar, Walter Brueggemann, suggests that “Such a ‘mismatch’ between our life experience of disorientation and our faith speech of orientation could be a great evangelical ‘nevertheless,’” a “yes, but” to world as we see it. “But,” as Brueggemann contends, “at best, this is only partly true. It is my judgment that this action of the church is less an evangelical defiance guided by faith, and much more a frightened, numb denial and deception that does not want to acknowledge or experience the disorientation of life. The reason for such relentless affirmation of orientation seems to come, not from faith, but from the wishful optimism of our culture. Such a denial and cover-up…is an odd inclination for passionate Bible users, given the large number of psalms that are songs of lament, protest, and complaint about the incoherence that is experienced in the world. At least it is clear that a church that goes on singing ‘happy songs’ in the face of raw reality is doing something very different from what the Bible itself does.”

We don’t like the psalms of lament, those psalms that name our disorientation. But the people of God have always believed that it is crucial to not leave anything out in our conversations with God. “everything must be brought to speech, and everything brought to speech must be addressed to God, who is the final reference for all of life.” In this way, the psalms of lament, protest, and complaint help us name how life really is, so that new life “reorientation,” might be possible.

Psalm 73 is a disorienting psalm, the “most remarkable and satisfying of all the psalms…because in the career of faith it seems to be the last word on disorientation, even as it utters the first words of new orientation.” Psalm 73 is unqualifiedly candid. The psalmist admits being seduced by the ways of the world and feeling the isolation and shame which disorientation fosters. The psalmist moves into the disorientation and also shows us the move out to something new, an “alternative way of reading reality.”

In light of our current moment in history, perhaps there is no more appropriate psalm for you and me. As you enter into the psalm, notice the movements of the psalm. Verse 1 states the thesis and conclusion in a similar way to how you were taught in English class to provide your thesis sentence in the first paragraph and again in the final section. The premise: communion with God is about heart orientation.

After letting us know where the psalm is heading, the psalmist then moves into the body of the work and invites us to honestly consider our heart’s orientation towards the ways of the world. Honestly naming why we desire them and honestly naming by what means the things we desire are attained. Notice the intimacy in which the psalmist knows the “they” in verses 4-11. The psalmist is admitting obsession with what the rich and powerful, succesful and happy have—an easy life, untroubled by the hang-ups of the less fortunate, with well-cared for and healthy bodies. What fault could be found in such a life? Who wouldn’t want this life?

But also notice the “shrewd economic critique” of the psalmist. The fascination with this life has revealed its foundation. “People who live like that are not disinterested. They are not well off because they are lucky. Such wealth and comfort…is based on violence (v. 6) and oppression (v. 8). They are skillful and adept at self-interest and have no shame about it. They are genuinely autonomous people who look after themselves (v. 11).” And the psalmist is troubled because it seems like their way of life works (v.12)!

Here is where the disorientation begins. The psalmist knows history, knows the words of faith heritage, and they do not resonate with what is observed (v. 13-15). Rather than dismissing the dissonance, the psalmist enters it, is overwhelmed by it (v. 16), but is not abandoned to it. Instead, the psalmist enters into communion with God (v. 17). It appears that not dismissing disorientation is enough to purify!

In “the sanctuary of God,” the holy place, the psalmist recognizes and is freed from the ideology of self-sufficiency which privilege and resources tend to engender (v. 18-20). And, the psalmist is released to repent, though it is a painful admission (v. 21-22). Yet the remorse is not the conclusion; it does not linger. Instead, repentance allows the psalmist to move into where the psalm began, an unabashed companionship with Yahweh, and without apology.

PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.     

PRACTICE:

READ

Read Psalm 73 slowly.

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the psalm’s movement through disorientation to reorientation. As you read,

·     Listen for a word or phrase or detail of dis- or reorientation that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.

·     Consider where you are in the movement through disorientation? At the beginning, more envious of the world? In the middle, confused at why the world’s way seems to work? At the heart, confused and wearied? In the first stage of moving to the other side, repentant? Or reoriented to an alternative way of seeing reality?

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

Reread the psalm, slowly. As you reflect on the psalm, consider the following:

·     The word or phrase or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

·     Your place in the movement through disorientation.

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the psalm one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you imagined moving with the psalmist through disorientation.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering: what God does in this psalm and what we do, or what about God makes you marvel, or least be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—the one who welcomes the disoriented heart into his presence. 

Psalm 107

Psalm 107 concludes with these words, “Whoever is wise, let him or her attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.”  For those who seek to live our lives wisely, we would, the psalmist contends, do well to ponder and meditate on the stories of reversal in Psalm 107.

There are, in fact, four reversal stories in this psalm. Each story describes the lostness of a particular people and their “deliverance from their distress.” They find themselves lost because of dryness of soul, wilful choices, and worldly lusts. They are found because of the steadfast love of the LORD and “his wondrous works to the children of men!”

Each vignette describes the reversal of plight for the lost, regardless of how each ended up lost in the first place. Verses 33-38 affirms that despite our assumption of control, we are at the mercies of God, who, as we have learned, is steadfast in his love and wondrous in his works.

PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 25 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.     

PRACTICE:

READ

Read Psalm 107 slowly.

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the four short stories of lostness and reversal. As you read,

·     Listen for a word or phrase that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.

·     Consider which story you relate to most? Are you wandering in a dry place, your soul parched? Are you imprisoned because of rebellion? Are you afflicted because of poor choices? Are you ambitious but drowning?

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

Reread the psalm, slowly. As you reflect on the psalm, consider the following:

·     The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

·     Which story you resonate with and why.

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the psalm one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you imagined yourself in the stories of the psalm.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering: what God does in this psalm and what we do, or what about God makes you marvel, or least be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—the one who reverses and rescues out of steadfast love.   

Proverbs 20:27 & 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

This Lectio practice is adapted from the one found in Hearing God on pages 131-133. In this section of the book, Dallas Willard is describing “the still, small voice” of the human spirit through which God addresses his children. He describes this way in which God speaks as, “God addressing us in our own spirits—our own thoughts and feelings toward ourselves as well as toward events and people around us.”

In prefacing this practice, the editors also suggest that we should note, “that a great part of having the mind of Christ is about working together with God in shared activity. Co-laborers easily share thoughts with little effort because they are focused on the same people, tasks, and goals.”

Having the descriptions of the “still, small voice,” and the “mind of Christ,” handy, will help  you settle into the scriptural passages for today in a more informed manner.

PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.          

PRACTICE:

READ

Read the passages slowly.

Man’s spirit is the lamp of Yahweh [candle of the LORD], searching his deepest self. (Prov. 20:27)

as it is written,

            ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

            nor the heart of man imagined,

            what God has prepared for those who

            love him’—

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this with words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:9-16)

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in that particular encounter. Remember, those who lived this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read,

• Listen for a word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind.

Do not choose this yourself. Let the Spirit bring it to you. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!)and see what happens.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

Read the passage again, slowly. As you reflect on the passage, consider the following:

• The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you imagined being in the story.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering: what God does in these passages and what we do, or where God was in this passage (close or distant?, open or detached?), or what about God makes you marvel, or least be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—the one who seeks you and is glad to do so.

1 Kings 19:1-18

There is an almost mythic story in 1 Kings 18. The people of Israel, led by King Ahab, have, at least from the formal state-sanctioned perspective, all but abandoned God through mingling faiths. Yahweh was still a part of their national identity, but so was Baal, the Canaanite god of rain. Baal worship had worked its way into the formal religious practices of Israel through Ahab’s wife, Jezebel. Jezebel was the daughter of the priest-king of Tyre and Sidon, and she perpetuated her father’s faith by establishing formal worship of the god who could ensure good soil.

The establishment was comfortable keeping the traditions of Yahweh worship around, foundations of the nations as they were, but they could not be described as faithful or godly leaders. Nevertheless, there was a significant minority in the country that were not apathetic or lukewarm to God, but devout and exclusive in their worship. One of these God-devotees was a prophet named Elijah. Because, as is true in all times, most of the visible religious leaders found it advantageous to be connected with the powers of authority, Elijah consistently thought he was the lone voice in the fight for God’s honor. Perhaps it was this idea of being the sole defender of God, and his propensity for the dramatic, that drove Elijah to confront the compromising king of God’s people rather consistently.   

During one of these confrontations, similar to an after-school brawl on the playground, Elijah challenges Ahab and the priests of Baal to meet him on Mt. Carmel to prove what god is really the God of gods. Instead of a dance-off, the priests of Baal and Elijah have a sacrifice showdown. Both groups would build altars and sacrifice a bull, preparing the way to interact with their gods. Then, as Elijah says, “you call on the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.’ And all the people gathered around answered, ‘It is well spoken.’” (1 Kings 18:24) Well, to make a long story short, Yahweh is the only God who answers, and the people follow Elijah in revolting against the gods of the system and their priests. At the end of the day, the priests of Baal and Asherah (the queen and eldest deity of the Canaanite pantheon), are dead. And to rub in the humiliation, Yahweh sends a great rain upon Ahab and Israel that will ensure good soil, showing himself to be the true God of rain (see 1 Kings 18 for the full backstory).

Elijah, rightfully so, is full of confidence. He acted on behalf of the Lord, the Lord honored and answered his actions, and the pride and power of the oppressive and unholy authority were shown its limits. But Jezebel was not there. She only heard the story but didn’t witness the works and words of God. She is told Elijah is behind the massacre of her sacred priests, and so she is a bit put off. Jezebel then does what those in power do; she exercises her influence against the annoyer of the status quo, “the troubler of Israel,” Elijah. That’s where we pick up the story in 1 Kings 19:1-18.

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me, and more also if I do not make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then [Elijah] was afraid; he got up and fled for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongs to Judah; he left his servant there.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’ [Running from fear and losing faith.] Then Elijah lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the LORD came a second time, touched him, and said, ‘Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.’ He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food, forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place, he came to a cave, and spent the night there.

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’

God said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice [a gentle whisper, a thin silence]. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your alters, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be a prophet in your place…I will leave seven thousand [of my royal priesthood] in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.

PREPARATION: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.          

PRACTICE:

READ

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in that particular encounter. Remember, those who lived this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read,

• Listen for a word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind.

• Think about where you find yourself in the passage. Do you identify with the person of Elijah or Jezebel or the angel or Ahab, or someone else? What scene in the story grabs your attention most: the running, the resting, the cave, the hurricane, the wind, the answering voice, etc.?

In any case, do not choose this yourself. Let the Spirit bring it to you. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!)and see what happens.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider the following:

• ·The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

• Who or what scene you found yourself identifying within the passage. How does it feel to be that person or be present at that moment? What draws you to them or it? What are you thinking or feeling about God?

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you imagined being in the story.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering a little longer all the ways God interacted with and spoke to Elijah in this passage. Consider what in this story makes you want to worship Jesus, or at least be with him. Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the one who never leaves us alone.

Acts 9 and 10

The church is still in her early days. Jesus has only recently died and risen again, and the world for many in Jerusalem and the surrounding area has been turned upside down. Conflict, confusion, excitement, and expectations swirl as people from a vast spectrum of life are coming into contact with the Spirit accompanied followers of Jesus. Anger, fear, and violence are as common as joy, freedom, and praise among those walking the newly birthed—yet ancient path—known as “the Way.” It is in such a setting that the stories of four individual experiences of Hearing God are found in Acts chapters 9 and 10.

Saul, the “church persecuting” Jew who is soon to become Paul, encounters Jesus and finds a calling, and blindness.  Ananias, whose lone appearance in the story of the early church is here, is fearful but bold. Cornelius is a Gentile who “feared God,” and apparently encouraged other non-Jews to do so as well. He hears and is hopeful. Peter, that same disciple who walked with Jesus on water, denied him, and was restored—he hears and is, per usual, confused.

All four men are wide awake when they experience their voiced visions, so all their senses and their reason are in full use. All four characters are spoken to and speak back. All four figures are given instructions, counsel, and guidance in their divine conversations. And all four respond with different emotions but similar actions: obedience.

We have a lot to learn from these four encounters as we cultivate competency and confidence in hearing God ourselves. And what we have to learn will come as we immerse ourselves into the stories realistically—recognizing in these stories that the participants are real people who lived through those experiences feeling very much the same as we would have if we had been in their place.

So, take the time to meditate on each story individually using the instructions below. Put yourself in the story as the main character. Let yourself imagine the experience happening to you, a real human who is really hearing God. 

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.          

Practice:

READ

Select and read one of the following passages. Then set aside a time a day or two from now to repeat the process until you’ve worked through all four.

Saul | Acts 9:1-9, 17-19 

Ananias | Acts 9:10-19

Cornelius | Acts 10:1-8, 24-33

Peter | Acts 10:9-33

Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in that particular encounter. Remember, those who lived this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read,

• Think about how the main character is described. Who are they? What do you know of their character, values, connections, etc. from the passage? What are they doing when they hear God?

• Listen for a word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you. Don’t choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to your mind.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider the following:

• How does it feel to be this person? What draws you into the encounter? What are you thinking or feeling about God and Jesus as you imagine yourself in their shoes?

• The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you imagined being in the story.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering a little longer how the character conversed with and responded to hearing God. Consider what in this story makes you want to worship Jesus, or at least be with him. Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the one who speaks life.

The Vine

Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 15:1-11.

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Look over the introduction and read these instructions in their entirety before you begin. Read the text from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.            

Context:

The final “I Am” saying is found in the middle of Jesus’ last conversation before his glorification, in John 15. Jesus is giving his disciples, his “friends” (15:15), an image that will shape their imagination for generations, a picture of the organic nature of life in God’s love, of fruitful life in His Kingdom. “Abiding,” or making ourselves at home, in our relation to Jesus is envisioned as living in congruence with our divinely imaged biology (or botany in this metaphor!), naturally and in the proper seasons, bearing the inevitable results in utter delight.

Practice:

READ

With this background, read John 15:1-11.

Now that you are familiar with the context, and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the encounter with Jesus. Remember that those who lived through this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read, listen for:

• A word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you.

• Where you find yourself in the passage: Consider what it would be like to be a part of the vine. Imagine yourself not as a single plant in your own space in the garden, but as a branch attached to a deep-rooted vine that covers the entire vineyard.

In either case, do not choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to you.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:

• The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

• Who you found yourself to be in the passage. What does it feel like to be a part of the vine? Let yourself “feel the stir/Of inward sap as it rises from your root/Himself deep planted in the ground of love.” What brings your joy to fullness as part of this vine?

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to feel, to know, or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage in John 15 one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or ask God for something. Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 3 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering especially: how did Jesus seem in the passage to his disciples, his friends, the community, the religious leaders, etc.? What about Jesus makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the vine, which is the very source of love that brings forth life now and forever.

A POEM TO PONDER

If you are interested in a little extra meditation on this final “I Am” sayings, here is a poem by Malcolm Guite for you to ponder:

How might it feel to be part of the vine?

Not just to see the vineyard from afar

Or even pluck the clusters, press the wine,

But to be grafted in, to feel the stir

Of inward sap that rises from our root,

Himself deep-planted in the ground of Love,

To feel a leaf unfold a tender shoot,

As tendrils curled unfurl, as branches give

A little to the swelling of the grape,

In gradual perfection, round and full,

To bear within oneself the joy and hope

Of God’s good vintage, till it’s ripe and whole.

What might it mean to bide and to abide

In such rich love as makes the poor heart glad?

The Way, the Truth, the Life

Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 14:1-14.

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Look over the introduction and read these instructions in their entirety before you begin. Read the text from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.            

Context:

The sixth “I Am” saying is in John 14, where Jesus is having a final conversation with his disciples before the events of his death begin. He is preparing them for his departure. Encouraging his friends with the promises of what giving up his life will mean for them. One of those promises is that Jesus’ absence is to prepare for the disciple's arrival. Included in this promise is that they will know the path to get there. Per usual, the disciples are slow on the uptake, and it is here, in Jesus’ explanation of the promise that his death brings, that Jesus utters perhaps the most famous of his “I Am” sayings.

Practice:

READ

With this background, read John 14:1-14.

Now that you are familiar with the context, and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the encounter with Jesus. Remember that those who lived through this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read, listen for:

• A word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you.

• Where you find yourself in the passage: confused and doubting like Thomas,  believing but blind like Philip, courageous but arrogant Peter (see 13:36-38), curious like the other Judas (see 15:22), or quietly observant like the other disciples?

In either case, do not choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to you.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:

• The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

• Who you found yourself to be in the passage. How does it feel to be this person? What draws you into the encounter? What are you thinking or feeling about Jesus?

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to feel, to know, or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage in John 14 one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or ask God for something. Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 3 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering especially: how did Jesus seem in the passage to his disciples, his friends, the community, the religious leaders, etc.? What about Jesus makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the resurrection and the life that brings something glorious out of the darkest experiences and emotions.

The Resurrection and the Life

Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 11:1-44.

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Look over the introduction and read these instructions in their entirety before you begin. Read the text from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is ok! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.            

Context:

The fifth “I Am” saying is in John 11, where Jesus’ actions solidify in the heart of the religious leaders his need to be permanently stoped. Jesus is requested to come to the aid of a friend, a trip that his disciples know will be costly—for him and themselves. Rightly, Jesus’ friends ask for his help in a time of need. To their dismay, the request is seemingly denied, and what was a lousy situation gives way to the worst possible outcome. In her frustration, Jesus meets one friend with an invitation into belief beyond mere cognitive affirmation. In her grief, Jesus meets another friend by sharing her pain and loss. The frustrated friend tries to keep Jesus at a distance from her hurt. The sad friend takes him to the place of their shared sorrow. Both witness the source of their emotional states raised from death and given new life.

Practice:

READ

With this background, read John 11:1-44.

Now that you are familiar with the context, and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the encounter with Jesus. Remember that those who lived through this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read, listen for:

• A word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you.

• Where you find yourself in the passage: as a worried and wondering disciple, the right-believing but frustrated Martha, the justifiably sorrowful Mary, a curious friend, or speculative Pharisee?

In either case, do not choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to you.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:

• The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

• Who you found yourself to be in the passage. How does it feel to be this person? What draws you into the encounter? What are you thinking or feeling about Jesus?

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to feel, to know, or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage in John 11 one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or ask God for something. Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 3 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering especially: how did Jesus seem in the passage to his disciples, his friends, the community, the religious leaders, etc.? What about Jesus makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the resurrection and the life that brings something glorious out of the darkest experiences and emotions.

The Good Shepherd

Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 10:7-21.

Preparation: 

IMPORTANT: Look over the introduction and read these instructions in their entirety before you begin. Read the text from a paper Bible, not your phone. Try to make sure you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer, it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.            

Context:

The fourth “I Am” saying is just a few verses after the third statement (“I am the door…”) in John 10. Jesus has already claimed to be the entrance into life with God, the door to salvation, to an abundant life of pasture. But he is more than the entry, he is the “good shepherd,” the watchful caregiver practicing loving, sacrificial husbandry so that the sheep who “follow him” and “know his voice” might “have life and have it abundantly.” We enter into the kingdom pasture of God through Jesus and find a lavish life in his leading and watchfulness.

Practice:

READ

With this background, read John 10:7-21.

Now that you are familiar with the context, and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today.

If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.  

Now, reread the passage slowly, immersing yourself in the encounter with Jesus. Remember that those who lived through this experience felt very much as you would if you had been in their place. As you read, listen for:

• A word or phrase or a detail in the story that stands out to you.

• Where you find yourself in the passage: as a sheep under the charge of a good shepherd, or under the care(lessness) of a hired hand, a religious leader trying to care for people, a person under the guidance of religious leaders, an apathetic by-standard observing the scene?

In either case, do not choose this yourself, let the Spirit bring it to you.

REFLECT

As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:

• ·The word or phrase that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?

• Who you found yourself to be in the passage. How does it feel to be this person (or animal!)

• What draws you into the encounter? What are you thinking or feeling about Jesus?

Give yourself 2-3 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How does this connect with my life today? What do I need to know or be or do?”

RESPOND

Read the passage in John 10 one last time, preparing yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you.

Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or ask God for something. Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.

REST

Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes. You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus. You may want to pay attention to God, pondering especially: how did Jesus seem in the passage to the Pharisees and religious leaders, to those under their care, to you? What about Jesus makes you want to worship him, or at least be with him? Sit in the companionship of Jesus—the good shepherd who came that you may have life and have it abundantly.