Relationship

Over the next seven weeks, we will pause from our regular devotional format. Rather than me rambling on about a passage of Scripture, we are going to leave it up to you and God. I'd like to encourage you to try an experiment in prayer.  It may or may not be the way in which you pray.  You might feel a little strange or uncomfortable with the silence, but I want to ask you to give it a try to see what happens.  God can surprise us sometimes and show up in ways we don’t normally expect.

Over the last few years, I've been profoundly affected by a spiritual exercise called lectio divina. This strange Latin phrase essentially translates to English as "holy reading," and comes out of the Benedictine monastic tradition.

This method of prayer can be simply described as experiencing God through Scripture.  It’s a classical form of prayer designed to draw us gently into the depths of our heart in order to meet with God. We interact with God in prayer as we meditate upon a biblical passage.

As you probably know, we all engage in various forms of "reading." Sometimes we read for information (newspaper reading), sometimes we read to increase our knowledge or critical faculties (studying), and sometimes we read for leisure (novels and such).

In lectio divina, we are not seeking to read for knowledge or instruction, nor are we seeking the escape of a good story. Instead, we come to the words of the Bible seeking to be with God. We approach Scripture as if it were a meeting place, a secret rendezvous where we hope to spend some time with the One who loves us. (Think of the ways in which you read and re-read and re-read love letters from that certain special person in your life.)

Lectio divina is coming to the words of the Bible as if they are words from a lover. We come to the text seeking to encounter God, seeking to make contact with God’s love and presence. We come to Scripture trusting God’s nearness and seeking to experience God's touch that brings healing and transformation.

In lectio divina we turn to a passage of the Bible—usually no more than a few verses—and read it over and over, very slowly, reflecting on each word and phrase, all the while paying attention to the impact the words have on our hearts. In this way we are "praying the Scriptures." It is very different from studying Scripture, in which we come to the text to try to understand its meaning. In lectio divina, the Bible passage "studies us."

At the heart of this exercise is a very simple notion: God desperately wants to speak to us, but in order to hear him, we have to be willing to listen. Lectio divina is about creating the space and time for God to speak to us.

Now, because so many of us are busy, busy, busy, we have no idea how to settle ourselves and listen for God's voice. So, if you attempt to engage in this exercise, I want to encourage you to not get frustrated by the difficulty to "silence" yourself. Be encouraged, there is no "right" way to engage in this exercise. Sometimes when we pray it’s difficult to focus—our minds are moving too fast, we’re tired, or maybe this just isn’t the best way for us to pray.  That’s okay.  Don’t get stressed if you’re having a hard time with this exercise.  Simply say within yourself: "God, I want to be with you right now." He is abundantly compassionate and rejoices at our smallest efforts to meet with him.


HOW TO PRACTICE LECTIO DIVINA

1. First, select a passage of the Bible. In this specific exercise, I have chosen John 15:9-17.
2. Spend a minute or two just relaxing and breathing deeply. 
3. First reading. Read the passage through, one time, slowly. Pause between each clause (for example, “I am the vine,” [pause] “and my Father is the gardener,” [pause] "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit," [pause]…). After you finish this first reading, be silent for a minute or two. 
4. Second reading. Read the text slowly once again, pausing between phrases. But this time pause even longer and be aware if any of the words or phrases catch your attention, or seem to stand out in some way. Make a mental note of those. After you finish the second reading, write down those special words or phrases. 
5. Third reading. Reread the passage up to the word or phrase that touched you in some way. When you reach that word or phrase, stop and repeat it a few times. .
6. Pondering. Reflect for a while on the phrase that moved you. Repeat it a few more times. Let the words interact with your thoughts, your memories or any other Bible passages that come to mind. Let it touch your heart, desires and fears. Begin to wonder, What might God want to say to me specifically? 
7. Prayer. Turn that last question into a prayer, asking God, “What is the word you have for me in this passage, God? Is there anything you want to say to me today?” Listen. Write down anything you sense God might be saying to you. 
8. Rest. Be still and silent for a while. Enjoy being in the presence of God. In this step you move from doing to being. Simply be for a while. 
9. Response. Ask yourself and God, What am I being called to do as a result of the word I have been given? Perhaps you are feeling challenged to love God more, or to accept some aspect of who you are, or to serve someone you know, or to begin changing some aspect of your character. Whatever it is, write it out. “Today God is calling me to be a more patient person. Be with me God, and teach me how.” Thank God for the word and the calling you have been given. 

After prayerfully reading the following passage, prayerfully consider the questions listed below…


PASSAGE FOR THE DAY
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other." (John 15:9-17, NIV)


QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
What has been the story of your relationship with Jesus? How has he pursued you? How have you pursued him? 

Pray that God would help you know, feel and lean into the love of Jesus for you on a daily basis.