Knowing God, not knowing more.... is the goal

We speak an average of 7,000 words, some more or less per day. Thankfully, I don’t say all the things I think! I wonder how many words we hear in our own head in addition to the ones spoken?

Many of you read a few thousand words a day. I wonder how many we hear? See…..that was 61 words read today in addition to what you’ve already seen and heard.

That’s a lot of words, messages, and information to sort through in a day!

Thankfully God’s word is sharper than any two-edged sword! Hebrews 4:12 describes it well.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

With so many words, noises, messages, decisions, etc. it can be difficult to hear God. Yet, we long to hear from Him. He communicates with us predictably, actively and creatively. He uses many ways to converse with us through books, people, music and more.

Scripture is a primary way that the Holy Spirit opens us up to God who is with us. In his Word, he reveals where we fall short and our belovedness. All of our desires for nourishment, strength, comfort, joy, and hope are addressed in his living word.

God is still speaking and guiding us personally and intimately through the Bible.

Have you ever been in a tornado? Hurricane? If not, I bet you’ve read about it or watched a movie to have an idea of what one might be like. Actually, being in a tornado or hurricane surpasses any intellect. Experiencing the tornado or hurricane is direct, sensate and experiential.

Devotional reading of the Bible invites us into this kind of knowing. Paul talks about this in Ephesians 3:17-19. He is praying deeply for the Ephesians and for them to know God intimately!

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Many people in the early church and still today cannot read. Devotional reading can be done by hearing the Word. Sometimes when we hear the Word we use a different part of our brain.

In devotional reading, it goes beyond gathering information. It’s not a study of the word but it can lead to that. Just like Paul prayed, we can ask God, “What does ‘to know this love that surpasses knowledge’ mean to me?”

Devotional reading exists to further our companionship with God, It really slows us down to be with the person of Scripture.

Practice of Grace #5 Devotional Reading

Devotional Reading or Lectio Divina is made up of 5 parts-Rest/Release, Read, Reflect, Respond/Pray, and Rest

Relax and Release- Get quiet and prepare your heart for the intention of what we’re going to do. Remember you’re in God’s presence, slow down, take a breath, rest.

Read the Word- Read the Scripture passage slowly and out loud lingering over the words so that they resonate in your heart. When a word or phrase catches your attention, notice it or stop. Stop and attend to what God is saying to you. Be open. Don’t analyze it, be curious. Listen and wait.

Reflect - Read the Scripture a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in this word. Reflect on the importance of the words that stand out (light up) for you.

Respond-Read the Scripture a third time out loud. Enter into a personal dialogue with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this. It’s important to respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings are aroused in you? Name where you are resistant or want to push back. Become aware of where you’re invited into a deeper way of being with God. Talk with God about all of this.

Rest- Wait in the presence of God. Allow time for the Word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God. Take all that you’re experiencing into your day with you.

You can do the practice of grace alone or with others. It can be helpful to journal your response, prayers and experience.

Additional Scriptures

Here are some other Scripture references that are helpful to use in Devotional Reading.

Mark 10:46-52                      Isaiah 42:16                          Jeremiah 18: 1-6

Jeremiah 43: 1-7                  Jeremiah 6:16                       Isaiah 55: 1-13

Matthew 14: 22-33              James 1:5                              Luke 19:1-10

Adapted from Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Practices That Transform Us, Adele Calhoun