This is what the LORD says: “Stand by the ways and see, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk-in it and you shall find rest for your souls.” — Jeremiah 6:16a NASB
Having a God-inspired word, verse, and simple plan for your life, God now points us to the development of the interior life of a follower of Jesus.
It is a transformed lifestyle – away formed by the cultivated interior life of spiritual tenacity, endurance, and love which fits us to the outward life where dreams and goals become reality.
What then are the “ancient paths” Jeremiah is referring to and how do we learn to become skilled in their usage? This is the focus of the next 12 sessions of the Breathe Meditation series.
A word of caution before we begin. “Hurry” will short circuit your learning. Go slow. Practice slowing. What our hearts hunger for is not found in a rush.
Reflection
We begin today with reflection; i.e. to think deeply or carefully about something. Similar words are: contemplate, meditate, or focus.
“…very simply it is becoming still and settled in the knowledge that God is God and we are not. It is a silent place where we can hear and submit to the voice of God. It’s being marinated and simmered in the Truth until it moves from head to heart. It’s that simple…and it’s that hard.” Chasing the Sage, Page 148
Reflect on Scripture
Reflect on small sections of the Bible, slowly reading and re-reading, paying attention to what your heart is responding to, and talking with God about it.
This is more like reading a love letter than it is skimming a user guide for a new gadget. Reading fast is not reflecting. Go slow.
Set a modest goal of 5 to 10 minutes 2 or 3 times each week.
Set a time and place where you can be quiet and alone. Whenever and wherever works best for you.
Begin breathing slowly with your eyes closed as you pray, asking God to bless this time together.
Psalm 23 is a good place to begin. I suggest you reflect on it for a few weeks. Yep. A few weeks.
Then to John 14:1-6 followed by Matthew 6:1-13.
Integrate reflective reading into your regular reading when you come to a verse or story that moves you. Pause then, and reflect asking God to guide you.
Reflection, learning to become still, and spiritual reading are ancient paths to our faith as followers of Jesus. Become skilled with it and your intimacy and friendship with God will blossom!
Be patient with your learning process.
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Pray
God, the idea of being still…yes, I like it. If You knew how busy my head is You would know just how much I need to learn this. But You ARE God and You know all about me and what I need today. Will You quicken my heart to learn a new style of living. It sounds so appealing and yet daunting. Amen
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