Lectio Divina Pt.2
Posted on 04. May, 2009 by Jeremy in Lectio Divina Defined, Meditation
Lectio Divina, translated “Sacred Reading”, is a four-step ancient exercise for allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through the Bible. It goes without saying (even though I will) that location and posture are incredibly important. Find a place, time and posture that allows you to focus without little distraction. The bed is probably a bad idea as is the line for a roller coaster at Six Flags.
I will take you step-by-step through one of my recent selections:
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
The four steps are:
Lectio- “reading”- select a portion of scripture- the Psalms are a great start. Spend several minutes in this stage as you allow the text to speak. Don’t speed past any word. Feel the rhythm and the tempo. Savor each word- it’s not a fast food value meal, it’s a five-course gourmet meal. One of the hard parts, however, is to not get too ahead of yourself. Don’t ask questions of the text or think of a sermon that you have heard in the past- just focus on the words. As you focus, allow the Holy Spirit to take an imaginary highlighter and mark a specific word or phrase- try not to allow it to be more than 2-3 words- one is ideal. Spend at least 8-10 minutes here.
As I read this passage over and over, mostly in my mind, sometimes audibly, I felt drawn to the phrase, “beside quiet waters”. I didn’t allow myself to ask, “why?” that is for later. It was a feeling, hard to describe, just a feeling, fairly strong nonetheless.
Meditatio- it is here that we are to answer the question, “Why did God want me to stop at this word?” Here is where we ask God to change us into what/who He has highlighted. Here is where we think of “application”.
It’s in this stage that my imagination goes nuts. God really wanted to show me something and it took about 20 minutes of quieting down to get here. I picture in my mind a giant, roaring waterfall. It’s downpour crashes and causes an incredible mist to cover me even though I am standing a fair distance off. The odd thing is that I can’t hear it. I don’t even hear a gentle trickle. It’s quiet. It’s in this moment that God tells me that He is speaking constantly. He is speaking and if I can connect with Him and allow my awareness of His voice to grow, He will speak through the chaos and confusion of life into the deep places of my spirit. I’m overwhelmed. I want to get up and do something, to work, to minister to just do, but the Holy Spirit says, “Be still”.
Oratio- In oratio, it’s time for us to form our application into a prayer. Here is where it’s great to journal so that you have to put thought into your prayer. Have you ever noticed that audible prayers can be very redundant, but when you’re forced to write them down, you must put thought into them. It’s like writing a paper for a class- it needs some thought, creativity and seriousness. Let your prayer include the application from the word that the Holy Spirit has highlighted for you.
For my prayer, I write something like this, “Father, the world screams for my attention. There are so many voices vying for my time and energy, but they are pointless without your leading. You alone are the source of strength, purpose and destiny. Why do I waste my time with so many things that don’t matter and that take the place of You? Help me to be consistent in my walk and my time with You. Help me to spend time with You so that I learn Your voice above all others. It’s Your voice that has the ability to drown out every other. It’s Your voice that has the ability to speak life when most of the other voices are speaking confusion and chaos. In the midst of life- speak.” He then moves me to the crescendo of Lectio Divina.
Contemplatio- this stage is very hard to describe. It is here that the other three steps are pointing us to. It is here that we are to stop and just rest in the presence of God. It’s here that Thelma Hall calls, “Too deep for words.” In this moment, let your mind stop thinking (obviously easier said than done) and just “be still and know that He is God.” Rest here. Stay here. Don’t rush this moment.
I wish I could describe this moment. Some days it’s more “feel-able” and tangible than others. But here is what I do know, it’s in this moment that God’s Spirit speaks to my spirit. It’s in this moment that the deep places in me cry out for the deep places in God. It’s in this moment that I connect with the reason I was placed on earth- communion with God.
V.SMith
May 20th, 2009
Under Oratio when you say, “He is speaking constantly” you are speaking the truth.
I’ve been practicing meditation with the Holy Spirit for the past 13yrs. And, the more I go through this process the easier it gets. If I have been able to take the proper time out of my schedule, consistantly, God’s voice is easier to hear. And, I am faced with the fact that I am so, very imperfect. I realize how different I am from him. I live so much in “the flesh” even when I really try to put him first. And, that’s my point I guess…The closer I get to him and see his true nature- the more I realize how much I am in need of his love & truth. Because on my own my thoughts are so, very different from his. Had I not been introduced to meditation I’m sure he would have found another way to my heart (cause he’s my “Big Popa”) but, it is like a big hug, from the inside out-that I never want to live without.
Also, this love that I speak about is what I want others to experience. I know that the power I’ve experienced has only come to me because of what Jesus went through. And, I know that he did it for ALL others…So, I’m perplexed with thoughts of, “How in the world do I share this?”..”How do I explain to people that I’ve talked “with” God/Jesus/the Holy SPirit this morning?”…My experiences aren’t so easily undertandable to many people. And then God tells me to just “be” & let him to the heavy lifting. All I have to do is “Be”???..just live my life getting to know him more, making a difference where he calls me & let him do his job.
That’s pretty cool. And, I am releaved. All I have to do is live as love. So, Jeremy, thanks for sharing this. Thanks for explaining this. You articulate this much better than I ever have. And, I will pass it on to others.-V.SMith
Angela Fisher
Sep 29th, 2009
Jeremy,
What a beautiful way to read scripture and hear God speak to us. I am now more aware and when I say the “Our Father”, I stop on the special word as the others in church continue to pray. What is He saying to me? I feel so loved. I seek that quiet place each day, my soul longs for the place that I can feel God’s love and warmth. Every now and then, I receive it, especially during mass. It seems as if I am alone with God even though there are hundreds around me.
We are meant to revolve our lives around God’s direction, not to fit God into our lives. How many times I seem to find time to work out but did not give more than 10 minutes to read the scriptures. God must me waiting patiently to talk to me and guide me to the desires of my heart.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful way to read scripture and hear God’s gentle, quiet whisper.