The Presence of God
As I sit here, the beating of my heart,
the ebb and flow of my breathing,
the movements of my mind
are all signs of God’s ongoing creation of me.
I pause for a moment and become aware
of this presence of God within me.
Freedom
Everything has the potential to draw from me a fuller love and life.
Yet my desires are often fixed, caught, on illusions of fulfillment.
I ask that God, through my freedom, may orchestrate my desires in a vibrant loving melody rich in harmony.
Consciousness
I ask, how am I within myself today? Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form? If any of these characteristics apply, can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me?
The Word
I read the Word of God slowly, a few times over, and I listen to what God is saying to me.
Matthew 8:5–11
When [Jesus] entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, appealing to him and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible distress.” And he said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and the slave does it.” When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and will eat with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”
- “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” These words expressed the centurion’s full trust in Jesus and led to a unique commendation of this pagan man’s faith. Let me spend some time pondering these words.
- People felt that they could take people who were sick—and their own sickness—to Jesus to be healed. May I do so, too, bringing my sick dear ones and all that needs healing in me to Jesus’ feet.
Conversation
I begin to talk with Jesus about the Scripture I have just read. What part of it strikes a chord in me? Perhaps the words of a friend or a story I have heard recently will slowly rise to the surface of my consciousness. If so, does the story throw light on what the Scripture passage may be trying to say to me?
Conclusion
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen. |
We are Redeemed 