We were sitting in a horseshoe formation. All new students. The professor read Scripture, a narrative from the Gospels. She invited us to imagine ourselves there. What did it look like? What sounds did I hear? Was it crowded?
I remember thinking “is this legal to read scripture this way?”
I smile now at that memory. My first introduction to a more reflective way of reading. Up until that point Scripture had been something for me to figure out. To master. To know.
Writing this series has called me to think more deeply about what does it really mean to Notice the Moment. When I strip away layers, the foundation is always scripture and prayer. It seeps out in nature and songs. In children and pumpkins. It plays in ten thousand places.
The seeping out all originates from the same source. They all come back to the way we connect to truth. The way that we establish a relationship with our Father.
When I am grounded in God’s word. When I am seeking and listening to Him in prayer. Those are the times I notice the moments that make up the days that make up our lives.
Scripture has been a lifeline to me. In times of trials and loss. In times of joy. It has reached my soul when nothing else could.
We approach the reading of Scripture in two ways. They are both important. They are both God’s word to us. Here are a few different ways of expressing the difference. The left column could be considered bible study, the right column, reflection.
We study it. We reflect on it.
We examine it. It examines us.
We read it for information. We read it for transformation.
We have our bible study tools at hand. We have our journals in hand.
We tackle a whole passage. We allow the Holy Spirit to stop us at the first word.
Today, I’d love to spend some time on the second column. I’ve only done this in real life with groups, so hang on as we see how this will work!
I invite you, in a prayerful posture, to read the following passage:
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
- Read the passage again. Slowly. Imagine yourself there. Is it noisy? What do the crowds look like? Sound like?
- As you read, who in the story do you identify with? One of the crowd? The paralytic? The friends? One of the disiciples? Read it one last time, see the scene from this person’s perspective.
- Now imagine, whoever you are in the narrative, imagine the crowds slowly going away. Imagine that you are left alone with Jesus. Imagine you are face to face with him. What is he saying to you? What are you saying to him?
- As you pray and listen, jot down any thoughts that come. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide. Is there encouragement that you received? Conviction or confession? An action to take? Was there silence?
How was that? I would love to hear your responses. Either specifically to some of the questions or a general response to the experience.
Over the years, I think I have been every character in this story. Approaching Jesus from many different life situations. And he is always there. Even times I didn’t want him to be.
May you notice Him today.
{above picture taken while camping and noticing this weekend. read about that here.}
I’m participating with The Nester in 31 Days of Noticing the Moment. This is Day 14.
You can find all 31 Dayers here. There are so many wonderful topics.
If you miss any days in the series, you can find introductory and each days post here.
