Tag: lectio divina

plan

by hovering love

“He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter.  . . . ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’” Mark 8:32,33 NIV

Poor Peter!  He responds to Jesus’ words as someone whose dearest loved one has just announced that they have been fatally diagnosed and only have weeks to live.  Denial, objection, determined to find a cure and fight to the bitter end—I can almost hear Peter say, “We can beat this! You must live!”  Peter is stunned but not stopped, determined to find the solution that will bring about what he desires most of all.  Peter is just as resolute in this moment (that Jesus should live and reign) as Jesus is (that he must die and be resurrected)—perhaps even more so. But Jesus won’t allow himself or his other disciples to be swayed by Peter’s temporal focus, and he sets the record straight.  How hard this must have been for all of them—a moment, a time and a truth that was drenched in deep, deep sorrow.

As I reflect on this story, I realize that Peter’s desire that Jesus live and reign was perfectly in line with God’s plan; however, his timing and manner of execution were all wrong. Just like Peter, we humans often have deep longings and desires that are perfectly in line with God’s plan for our lives and beings.  And just like Peter, our timing and manner of execution frequently involves avoiding the necessity of waiting and suffering and sacrifice—things that must be involved to make it all holy.  Peter wants the glory without the pain; he wants it to be easily acquired and he wants it now (for Jesus, himself and all the others).  But experiencing the process of being disentangled from this world so you can be fully invested in God’s kingdom takes time, and it involves suffering and the loss of personal sacrifice—letting go of the false before you can grab ahold of the true.  Peter is learning, though, as we all must—the hard way.  This hardship has its cost, but also its benefit.  Hope emerges as we embrace and endure the sufferings, losses and sacrifices along the way.  This is the means by which our hope is made true, pure and indestructible.

God bless Peter.  God bless us all.

Amen!

measure

by hovering love

“All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love.”  John 13:1

Dear Jesus,

What does it look like for you to demonstrate the “full measure of your love” for me?  The full measure of your love appears to be that it’s immeasurable, far too vast and never-ending to sufficiently survey, value or assess.  How do I measure that which is immeasurable?  I don’t believe that I can; the very best that I can do is simply allow myself to receive and experience its fullest effects.

What does it look like for me to demonstrate the “full measure of my love” for you, and for others? I’ve never deluded myself by imagining that the same could be said of my love—immeasurable.  However, I have been created in your image—the image of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If that is true, and I believe it is, then I cautiously suspect that the real measure of my love is much different than I’ve ever reckoned it to be.  In your image, it only makes sense that the love that my heart and soul have to offer is much larger, deeper and longer lasting than anything I’m usually inclined to give it credit for, or even explore.  I believe this to be true; yet, help me in my unbelief.  I often feel that I don’t have much love to give.  At the same time, I do realize that the smallest amount of love can go a long way—if I am willing to take the risk to put it out there, express it, and demonstrate it  and  if I can just get past the fear.

Throughout my life, love has frequently felt like a dangerous experience for me—like inadvertently placing myself out on a limb that someone is already in the process of sawing off.  As a result, I’ve learned to “measure” out my love, with the care, caution and hypersensitivity of a frightened animal.  This is the condition of my heart and soul without the touch and transformation of your immeasurable love.  But now that your touch and transformation have come to me, I must realize that the measure of my love is no longer as it was.  The cowering, frightened animal is an illusion, not my reality.  The time has come for me to say “good bye” to the fear so I can live into the real, renewed measure of my love, both for you and for others.  It’s time for me to step into and rejoice in my own immeasurable love—the share of your divinity that you have placed within me.  If I promise to exercise the measure of courage that I possess, will you show me what it looks like for me to demonstrate the full measure of my love?

As always,

I am yours, and yours alone.

 

geese

by hovering love

“Even now, I know that whatever you ask God he will give you . . . I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time . . . All along I have believed that you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.” John 11:22, 24, 27 (The Message)

Martha has known and believed the truth about Jesus “all along”. She believes she’ll see her brother, Lazarus, again at the resurrection at the end of time (she’s obviously not a Sadducee). She also believes that God gives Jesus whatever he asks for. Lazarus has died and been in the tomb for 4 days. What hope is Martha harboring in her heart and soul? The yearning to have her brother alive again is powerfully strong, but would it ever occur to her to ask Jesus to restore Lazarus to life today—not just at the end of time? How far into the unimaginable does Martha’s knowledge and belief extend? Could she ever be bold enough to ask Jesus for such a thing to occur in the present moment?

I relate to Martha. Like her, I know and believe in Jesus as Messiah, Son of God. He is my Savior, Brother, Friend, and Shepherd. But how far into the unimaginable does my knowledge, belief and faith extend? Far too often, I feel that my knowledge, belief and faith are too limited by my earthly experiences of life and by my thoughts. Like most humans, my thoughts throughout the day frequently resemble a cocktail party of geese—honking loudly and persistently with little depth or any real thinking involved. With that kind of racket going on, how can anyone hope to think clearly and perceptively at all? I yearn to be set free from these limitations, but I also fear what I don’t know and have never personally experienced. How can I escape the “geese” and enter into that place where real thinking occurs and true insight is perceived—my own heart and soul?

As I sit still, quieting my own heart and mind, I can perceive more than I could otherwise imagine. Is it possible that deep down within Martha’s heart and soul, she knows what she wants (Lazarus to arise from death now) and she knows and believes that Jesus can make it happen? That sounds like both insight and perception. But her conscious thinking (geese) can’t relate or even consider this due to the limited earthly experience that she’s had (she’s only been taught and believes that resurrection occurs in the end times). However, her heart and soul know the truth, even if her thoughts are lagging behind. Without her realizing it, her heart and soul speak the truth of her desire and beliefs without her conscious thoughts having a clue to the truth and reality that her heart and soul possess. Like all humans, Martha needs to trust and live from her heart and soul (that’s what makes her human) and not from her geese-like thoughts or limited ability to logically reason (that’s what makes her earthly, and influenced by Western philosophy). Just like Martha, so do I! Only then will I be set free from my limitations. Only then will I experience the fullness of life in Christ that both Jesus and I yearn for me to have, live and be.

Show me how this transformation works, Jesus. Please enable my heart and soul knowledge, faith and belief to be the reality of my daily life experience. Amen!

 

 

 

question

by hovering love

“He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’?” Mt. 22:43 (TNIV)

Religion scholars were frequently asking Jesus questions in an effort to trap him with his own words. Such was the case in this passage of Scripture, but on this occasion Jesus asks them questions in return. He asks them whose son the Messiah is, and they respond by saying he is the son of David. Then Jesus asks the above question. The religion scholars have no answer. They don’t attempt to bait Jesus with any more questions, either.

I’m surprised that the religion scholars had no concept of Messiah being God Incarnate as a descendant of David—a person walking earth who was fully God and fully man. The answer to Jesus’ question above seems simple to me, but I know a much fuller version of the story, and from the position of hindsight. The religion scholars were doing their best to discern truth regarding someone they expected to come in the future and whom they expected to be fully human—just like all the other prophets who had come before. If they hadn’t been so concerned with possessing power and proving themselves to be “right” (and proving Jesus to be “wrong”), I wonder if they could have experienced an unanticipated illumination of truth from Jesus—one that they were not able to perceive or understand from Scripture alone? I hope so for my own sake! The intent and approach of the heart can make all the difference, and God sees the heart. Illumination seems to be given based upon the condition of the heart—or does it? As I recall, Caiaphas prophesied regarding the necessity of Jesus’ death (John 11:50) – he was illuminated, not because his heart was close to God but because he had the religious authority to condemn Jesus to death, thus fulfilling God’s plan for mankind. So, where does this leave me?

As I consider this, I hear God ask me a question. “You only know what I reveal to you, in accordance with my own purposes and plans. ‘How is it then’ that you perceive and understand anything about me? It is a gift, from me to you, and nothing that you can claim or take credit for. Receive what I give to you with humility and the full confidence that I desire to give you all that I have and am—because I love you, and because I want you to share in my plans and my glory.”

offer

by hovering love

“He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.” John 6:6 (TNIV)

Many who’ve “already decided what they’re going to do” will ask questions of others merely to obtain affirmation and support of their plan—not to obtain wisdom or advice regarding their plan. If the others express agreement, the person may feel justified in their decision. If the others disagree, the person may feel offended and defensive, choosing not to listen due to some excuse. Few people will actually listen to and consider the words of others once they’ve made up their mind to proceed in a certain manner. That’s why, when presented with these kinds of questions from others, my emotional response is often one of ambivalence and wariness.

Jesus has spent the day teaching and now he finds himself surrounded by a huge crowd of hungry people (at least 5,000 in number). He asks his disciple, Philip, where they can buy enough bread to feed these folks. Jesus is fully human, but he approaches earthly life from a heavenly perspective. He doesn’t ask his questions seeking affirmation or justification from Philip. Jesus perceives this to be a teaching moment—he asks for the sake of others, not for his own sake. I don’t imagine that Philip felt grateful to be put on the spot in this way; he may have felt rather ambivalent and wary, himself. But Jesus’ reason for questioning Philip causes my own emotions to change. My ambivalence and wariness become gratitude when I understand that Jesus’ purpose is to teach and encourage growth—in Philip and myself. Philip’s response reveals his belief that Jesus’ intention of feeding the crowd is not only crazy; it’s impossible as well. Another disciple, Andrew, weighs in by sharing his observation of a boy’s lunch but he ends with, “but how far will that go among so many?” Andrew’s openness to possibilities beyond his grasp is greater than Philip’s, but it’s still sadly lacking. He, too, suffers from the ambivalence (and doubt) that results from not being able to perceive the unlimited resources of God.

I frequently desire to be of assistance and service to others, but then I am easily discouraged and overwhelmed by the shear size of the need. Like Philip, satisfying the need as I see it can appear impossible to me. I desire to be more like Andrew—noticing what is readily at hand, and open to the idea that what is available could be of help. But even Andrew couldn’t take it far enough. Left to Philip, Andrew and myself, the crowd would have walked home hungry. Not so with Jesus—as he taught Philip and Andrew that day, he teaches me now:

“My beloved child, why do you allow yourself to become discouraged and overwhelmed. I never ask you to solve the entire problem, or to serve perfectly—I only ask you to willingly offer what you can. Never fear that what you have to offer is not enough. Give what you can with the joy of knowing that I delight in producing huge results from small offerings. The true value of what you have to offer is always immense in my hands. I multiply all that you give to meet the need and get the job completed well. Be encouraged, my child. I will always guide you and enlarge all that you offer to me.”

I want to take it farther than Philip and Andrew—I want to be able to believe that what’s available, in God’s hands, really is enough. How about you?

 

simple

by hovering love

“But Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.” Luke 2:19  (Living Bible)

What a year Mary has had: visited by an angel and told she’s going to have a baby, living with the gossip in her village regarding her “situation”, being forced to travel about 80 miles on foot/donkey (a 4 day journey) to register for a Roman census in Bethlehem, giving birth to her first child in a stable with only Joseph there to assist! No doubt, she was exhausted. She must have felt spent in every way. I imagine her with Joseph in a town where they and their “situation” are not known, finding peace in their anonymity away from the people in town, relief in a healthy childbirth and wonder-filled joy in Mary’s newborn son. All too soon, they’re burst in upon by an exuberant group of shepherds with a remarkable tale of angels and the glory of God, revealing a secret that had been shared by Joseph and Mary alone to all who will listen. Mary knew what it was like to be visited by an angel, and she instantly knew in her heart that the tale of the shepherds was true. Mary’s secret is now revealed, but in a way that redeems her reputation and restores her soul—if not in Nazareth, at least in Bethlehem. What a kind and timely Christmas gift for this new mother! No small wonder that she is treasuring it all up deep within her heart!

God sends one angel to deliver the message to Mary and the shepherds, but then accentuates the breadth of this event with a full army of angels that sing of God’s glory and grace. Amazing! God shares his secret plans with a simple young woman and he proclaims its fulfillment through a group of simple shepherds. I can’t help but wonder why did the angels appear to the shepherds and not to heads of state, or at least the local rabbi? As I ponder this question, I hear the following:

“My child, my glory is most profound and powerful when it is housed and professed by that which is small and simple, unimpressive and unpretentious. This is where my glory shines the brightest and my joy is most complete. Be just and only who you are—my precious, chosen child—today and every day. This is how my glory will be most profoundly and powerfully seen in and professed through you.“

Amen!

yes

by hovering love

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30 (TNIV)

“Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” Luke 1:38 (The Message)

Understandably, Mary is shaken by what’s happening to her: being visited by an angel, being told she’ll conceive a baby via the Holy Spirit, and give birth to God’s son. Remarkable! Extraordinary! This is way too much for any mere mortal to take in; yet, the angel provides Mary with just enough information to enable Mary to “see” what she needs to see in order for her to make the choice to agree with God and surrender herself to God’s plan—for herself, and the world. Of course, she “sees” so little at this point—hardly anything compared with all that she can’t see yet. But she sees enough, and acts upon what she does see. Overwhelmed as she must be by her circumstances, Mary does not give in to her fears. Her response to the angel, and to God, is “Yes.” I’m delighted and amazed by Mary’s simple, childlike faith in God. I’m a bit amused by her naivety, imagining that she sees it all. I’m also filled with wonder and awe of God’s tender love for the young woman that he has chosen to be his mother!

Though Mary’s and my circumstances are so very different, there is one way in which we (and all of humanity) are very similar. There is so little that we humans do see, so little that we do know; yet, God always gives us just enough insight to act upon. That kind of situation seems scary, but God tells us not to fear. God’s tender love for us all is sure and unchanging, and his word to us never fails. I hear his words to me now:

“Hold firmly, tightly, onto what child-like faith that you have. Just as I chose Mary to be my mother, I have chosen you to be my sister, friend and full-time companion. Say “Yes” to me unreservedly and I will birth myself within you—freeing you to be your true self and empowering you to be my partner for life, eternally loving and being loved by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I have chosen to live and love in and through you! Say, “Yes”!

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may it be to me according to your word! Amen!

child

by hovering love

“Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Luke 18:17 (The Message)

If a child is going to hold tight to something, it will be to the one who cares for them: a parent, grandparent or guardian. There is only one exception, or perhaps addition, that I’ve seen to that truth: their “security” item (a blanket, stuffed animal or toy, etc.). But even then, a child usually has only one security item, not “mansions” filled with items like adults will endeavor to have. A child’s trust and security seems to be very simple and focused, for example: “my mommy and my blanket”. That’s all that’s really needed for a child to be happy and content, to feel safe and secure, and for them to rest and be at peace. Situations of extreme poverty can cause this not to be essentially true, and some parents who are currently in the trenches of raising their children may beg to differ with me as well, but as I look back over my years in those trenches, I recognize that a large part of what a child really needs is one loving, caring relationship and one treasured item. These “possessions” can provide comfort and stability for children, even when their situation is less than favorable. As I ponder this reality, I can’t help but ask myself, “What one relationship and one item can provide the same for me?”

I recognize a longing within myself for the freedom to be a simple child who lives a simple life consisting of one relationship and one item of comfort and familiarity. But living this simple lifestyle would require that I let go of the many things that I have acquired as an adult. I fear the real and imagined loss of “selling all that I have, giving to the poor and following Jesus”. How could this even be possible for me to do; after all, I have a spouse and a house filled with items and the decision to keep or dispose of these items is not up to me to make alone. Now I not only feel longing and fear, but I’m beginning to feel a bit trapped as well! Like Jesus’ disciples, I find myself wondering what must I do to be saved from my dilemma!

In the midst of my silent listening, I hear God say this to me.

“Doing is a trap, a trap that you can’t escape on your own. You must have help—from others and from God—to escape the trap’s “teeth” or grip. The process of getting rid of your item-filled house must be one that you walk through with your spouse. The “community” aspect of this process is your teacher and guide—be attentive and learn from it. In your own childhood, you grew up as an only child never knowing the irritations or the joys of having and being a sibling. As an adult, you have been the mother who has raised offspring to adulthood, often marveling and being mystified by the sibling interactions that you’ve witnessed among your children—the comforting familiarities as well as the oppressive pitfalls. As I now “grow you back down” to the simplicity of a child, your life in community with your spouse (and others) gives you the opportunity to experience life as a sibling, as co-heirs with each other and with Jesus before God, the Father. This is not something that you do. It’s something that you are. Be who you are. Be my darling child who clings to my neck for dear life, not ever letting go. Cling tightly, also, to your “security blanket”: my Holy Spirit. She alone will provide you with the comforting sense of familiarity, security, love and peace that you need to face the ups and downs of life as my child. Focus your attention on my Spirit and trust in me as your “Abba” (“Daddy”), and you will be the child that you long to be. I guarantee it!”

With tears on my cheeks and from the depths of my heart, I thank you, Abba, for the privilege and joy of being your child!

 

 

 

 

quibble

by hovering love

“They were surprised and impressed—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to.”  Luke 4:32 (Message)

Quibble is rather a fun-sounding word, even if its meaning isn’t.  If all the other religious teachers in Jesus’ time “quibbled”—arguing, complaining, nitpicking over unimportant details, quoting other “authorities” to support their own points and ideas (I think today we might call that “name dropping”)—then Jesus’ approach of authenticity (speaking from what he knows to be true in his life and being) would be very refreshing indeed!  What a pleasant relief it must have been to hear Jesus teach!

Since not quibbling worked so well for Jesus, I can’t help but wonder why so many Christians today engage in it?  Nitpicking over nonessential doctrines and unimportant details only leads to division and disunity.  Arguing and complaining are simply symptoms of ego and pride, not humble self-sacrifice.  Validating your words by quoting popular or well-promoted Christian pastors and/or authors is frequently done to impress, and reveals a lack of true ownership for your own spirituality.  These words of mine may sound harsh, but are they untrue?      

Jesus knew who he was and how he was called by God.  He intentionally lived into his identity and his calling, trusting in the guidance and support that he received from the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus possessed authority that had been given to him by his Father.  In addition, his authenticity regarding his true being and how he lived that out in his daily life naturally lended even more authority to his actions and teachings.  As Jesus’ followers, we have all received our own unique identity and calling from the Father.  The question is, are we choosing to waste precious time and energy quibbling or are we trusting our identity and calling in Christ and intentionally living into it?  As I ponder this question for myself, I hear Jesus say the following to me:     

“My sister and friend, I have planted my truth within you and it has grown.  There is more for you to learn, but you can be confident and authentic regarding what you have already received from me.  Your authenticity is your authority!  Claim what you do know.  Boldly proclaim it with your words and through your actions.  I have placed my authority within you—share it with me as we use it to our Father’s glory.”

Do I hear an “Amen!”?

nothing

by hovering love

“So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.” John 12:10, 11

Even though the Jewish leadership is plotting a double murder scenario (Jesus and Lazarus), their evil intent can’t stop or even dampen the overwhelming sense of awe, wonder and joy that surrounds Lazarus’ resurrection and Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. If there wasn’t so much joy and praise of God being expressed, this scene might resemble an out-of-control mob—but the praise and joy do prevail and energize this celebration.

My attention today turns to Lazarus. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before that this large crowd formed for the purpose of seeing Lazarus, as well as Jesus. How humbling and exciting for him to be such a key player in this scene. Exciting because he gets to “share the stage” with someone that he worships and adores. Humbling because the reason for his being on that “stage” has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with him! After all, the only thing that Lazarus did to bring himself to such prominence was to die and be buried for 4 days. Lazarus expended no energy at all. Jesus did all the rest, without the slightest response or cooperation on Lazarus’ part.

Sweet Lazarus! As I ponder this truth about his experience, I am reminded that the same is true of my life and being as well. Without me ever thinking a thought, feeling an emotion, speaking a word, performing an action or even being deliberate about an intention, God gives me the gift of being his daughter, and heavenly life to experience being a daughter of God in and through (even while I remain on earth)! I do nothing; indeed, there is nothing that I am capable of doing to bring this about or sustain and maintain it. It is truly all God’s doing.

Thank you, God, for your many gifts and graces to me. Just like Lazarus, may the life you give to me be attractive to others, causing them to draw near to you with open curiosity, joyous celebration, humble gratitude and heartfelt praise.