Lectio Divina

I have being hearing of lectio divina frequently lately, and then I “stumbled” upon a book on the theme with a special laminated instructional/prayer guide left by the previous owner of the book in it. It was a sign to move toward the practice and experiment with it. Don’t get me wrong, I do spend the majority of my days deep into spiritual readings, contemplations, and healing, but this devotional routine was going to take me even deeper, or so I suspected.

I am on day three of experimentation, and I am all in. It takes my communication with God to another level. It immerses me in Scripture in an unfamiliar way and affirms my faith while moving me to action. God no longer feels like a figment of my imagination but like a friend of virtue having a conversation with me.

As of recent, I have been healing through burned out energy at my place of employment and wavering between staying and going. Upon waking up today, that ambivalent heavy wave washed over me, so I turned to the sacred reading with no hesitation. The practice advises to highlight words or phrases that glimmer to us. I did and was then moved to pull them out of the text and write them in my journal. Here is the result:

“God bless you and give you peace. God consoles us in all our troubles. If you meet with trouble, it is for the sake of your consolation and salvation. Rely on God, for he will deliver us again. Purity of motive and sincerity are inspired by God. We will be proud of you. Your pleasure might be doubled. Where did I show any fickleness of purpose? The message does not waver between “yes” and “no”. The child of God never wavered between “yes” and “no”. With him, it has always been “YES”. God gave us his spirit in our hearts as a pledge of future blessings. It is through your faith that you are standing firm.”

What a Feast!