Spiritual Practice of the Week
Hey there! All who are thirsty, come to the water! Are you penniless? Come anyway—buy and eat! Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk. Buy without money—everything’s free! Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. Pay attention, come close now, listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words. - Isaiah 55:1-3 The Message
This past Sunday we heard from Kelly Chen and Nicole Macatrao about their attempt to pay attention to what was life-giving and what was life-sucking over the last week. They each took an hour, free of devices, to really try to listen to God.
Could you imagine taking an hour, device free, to listen to God? The goal wouldn’t be to do this every day, but every so often to assess your life, to get back on track, to connect with your deep gladness and your deep sorrow. Like Kelly and Nicole, it may be time to realize some things about how you’re spending your life and an invitation away from some things (say, binging Game of Thrones) and towards something (maybe spending a little time each day outside in wonder). It may be recognizing that those relational risks to encourage a new friend were really God moments, inspired by the Spirit.
This week, plan an hour sometime, device free. You may want to do this at home if that’s a place of peace for you, or you may want to go to a park if your home is distracting. Take a pen and pad of paper. You might want to start with a couple of deep breaths and a prayer inviting God to guide your time. Then maybe try listing a dozen things you are thankful for over the past week. Then jot down two questions and any thoughts you have about them:
When did I meet God this week?
When did I miss God this week?
What stands out? Any themes? Any sense of connecting with God or disconnecting from God?