Friday’s Reflection
SO OFTEN WE GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS in our spiritual lives. We sing, we pray, we worship, we give the impression that we know that we are God’s beloved. But often in the deep places of our hearts, the assurance is not there; and we know it. We need to come home and let the Spirit of God whisper, “You are God’s beloved.”
- Trevor Hudson and Stephen Bryant
The Way of Transforming Discipleship
From p. 24 of The Way of Transforming Discipleship by Trevor Hudson and Stephen D. Bryant. Copyright© 2005 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used with permission. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Do you ever find yourself going through the motions in your spiritual life? Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- Colossians 3:2-3, nrsv
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for peacemakers everywhere. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- Praying with Eyes Open. Many of us were taught to close our eyes when we pray. Praying with icons is an ancient prayer practice that involves keeping our eyes wide open, taking into our heart what the image visually communicates. Try praying with icons.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Ignatius of Loyola (July 31).
- Lectionary Readings:
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{ 6 comments }
I can very easily fall into my routine – I love and thrive on routine. But having recognized that – I need balance. In some areas, my routine propels me and helps me. However, in my quiet devotional time – I want to be fully focused on Him, ready to listen, ready to obey. Ready to be spontaneous – not easy for a “routine” person. I want to be authentic, especially before Him during our time together to begin the day.
Terry – thanks for your words. May God bless You with His presence in a special way.
It is not that I want or need to give the impression that I am a beloved of God. Yet I find it helpful to go through some laid out pattern in my daily devotion. It is a disciplined way that helps me to concentrate in my communication with God. The communication and time spent in His presence does help me to have the assurance that I am a beloved of God and enables me to do what would please Him. He always provides the strength and help.
We sing, pray, and go to church we get caught in going thru
the motions we look like a deer in headlights so we need to step out and let god lead
We all have our schedules that we run through each day, but if we start the day ,or end the day with reading from the Bible, we can be meditating all day or all night abour the more serious questions of what God woulld have do in the near future!
Going through the motions has sometimes been the only connection with God that I have had. If I am going through a wilderness time or a dark night of the soul (and I have been there at times of loss or stress ot illness) going through the motions becomes a spiritual discipline which helps me get back to where I know the presence of God. It keeps me connected at the very least.
Thank you, Laura. I have felt that also. The other comments are helpful, but there have also been times when ‘going through the motions’ and following the discipline that I had previously set up in my life , has been what kept me connected to God . Though I can’t say I always recognised that at the time.I guess there’s a difference between being really false and having that thirst that deep down we know God will satisfy somehow. When we are aware , as the reflection says, that the assurance is no longer there, we are perhaps already on the right road again.
I believe, nowadays , that our God ,who knows our hearts and our deepest longings and intentions, honors the intent however feeble it may be.
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