Dear Faith Family,
What are you listening to right now? As you read this email, is there a song playing on Spotify? How about a podcast streaming in the background as you multitask? Maybe a child asking to play or wanting lunch? Perhaps you hear your voice as you read my words because you're dialed in, focused. Maybe you hear the voice of your supervisor saying, "No personal emails while on the clock," or your spouse reminding you of something to pick up on your way home. Or maybe something or someone else?
The point is, there are always voices inside and out speaking at or to us. These voices directly or indirectly shape what we think and how we live--both well and poorly. And it is this immersion in words that requires the psalmist to cultivate a quiet heart (Ps. 131). A heart not void of voices, but one attuned to the voice, the words and Word which are life today and life forever.
Through diligent, attentive, nurturing (i.e., cultivation), our hearts are calmed and quieted. That's why the habitual rhythm of silence and solitude has been a part of our faith heritage for thousands of years. Each of us needs regular times to withdraw from the sounds of life to be in the presence of Life. But remember, our silence and solitude is not primarily a disconnection from voices and words, but an attunement to the voice and words that are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The practice below is meant to help us quiet our hearts so that we can hear. Hear the voice of the One who leads us into life each day, giving his life so that we might live abundantly.
I encourage you this week to set aside some time to be silent and alone with God. Maybe take one of your regularly scheduled "quiet times," and instead of a Devo or study, join in this old habit. You can find more like it here and here.
May our feet be firmly rooted in our Father's world and hearts quiet enough to hear the voice of the good shepherd leading, guiding, caring, and dying for us. Grateful that it is enough that God is God and we are his!
Love you, faith family! God bless.
Instructions to guide you in the prayerful practice of silence and solitude meditating on John 10:1-11
Preparation:
IMPORTANT: Look over the context 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 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 is 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:
In these verses, Jesus claims to be the entrance into life with God, the door (v. 7,9) to salvation, to an abundant life of pasture. But he is more than the entry; he is the “good shepherd” (v. 11), 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.”
These statements come amid a much longer conversation ignited by Jesus’ opening the eyes of a man born blind on the Sabbath (9:1-41). Some of the religious leaders, challenged by the sign of Jesus, are rebuked by the simple faith of the once blind man, and so he is cast out of the synagogue. It is in this setting that Jesus declares, “I am the door...I am the good shepherd” Those who culturally seem to stand guard at the entrance into life with God, whose voices and words shape the lives of those who Jesus is speaking to, are proven to be but “thieves and robbers.”
The door to salvation, to an abundant life of pasture, is Jesus himself. We enter into the kingdom pasture through Jesus, and find a lavish life under his watchful leadership and at the sound of his voice.
Practice:
READ
With this background, read John 10:1-11.
Now that you are familiar with the context and words close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “His voice… and as you breathe out, pray, “…I 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, notice:
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 young sheep trying to learn the shepherd's voice, a religious leader trying to care for people, a person under the guidance of religious leaders, or even an apathetic by-standard observing the scene?
Whomever you connect with, do not choose this yourself; let the Spirit bring it to you.
Sit quietly for 1 minute after reading and then...
REFLECT
As you reflect on the passage, consider one of the following:
Who you found yourself to be in the passage. How does it feel to be this person (or animal!)
What does the voice of the good shepherd sound like? How does it differ from the other voices bouncing around in your heart, your mind, or throughout the day?
Where is his voice calling you into life, abundant? And in what ways are the other voices trying to steal, kill, and destroy?
Give yourself 5-7 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?” And then....
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 1-2 minutes to respond. And then...
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 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 door and the good shepherd who came that you may have life and have it abundantly.