Many of us express our faith journeys in different ways, as different as the personalities God gave us. I believe those lines are blurring as we have conversations and learn to worship ecumenically… together! I absolutely love gathering with different denominations, and although we might have different theological interpretations, we can rejoice about what we have in common!
Part of my own spiritual journey has to enter into more contemplative forms of worship, to be still, to listen to God, and this has enriched my life immensely!
For some, this might seem foreign, or different that what we are used to, but I remember our dear professor, a gentle man of God, telling us to lift our hands to God and open our hands, asking God to show us truth, and trusting God to filter what wasn’t of Him away…
As I entered my first silent retreat, I was quite nervous. I wasn’t used to spending this much time alone, and in silence. But as I did, a profound sense of peace came, and I sensed the God I loved was there. “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) has become so vital to me… for it is when I am still, and inviting God’s presence, there is a knowing… often confirmed by scripture.
I love to sit with scripture this way… asking God what I need to learn, and often the words come alive as they speak to different areas of my life, often the very thing I need for that moment. And I know I need to practice this more!
Part of the joy of my art doodles is playing with words, and often I feel led to different scriptures to understand a thought or theme.