Spiritual Disciplines: Lectio Divina

The Spiritual Disciplines have had a life-changing affect on my life and walk with Jesus. In the beginning, as I was just discovering this previously untapped world, they were like new found gems I never knew I needed. Then as I walked deeper with Jesus, they were like keys opening  up new spaces within me, and challenged old ones. They have also helped me discover how to deepen friendships, ask harder questions, pray like never before, and receive deeper rest. My most favorite thing about them though is that they teach me 1,000 ways to know and hear the voice of God. It is simply good practice - to practice the disciplines. They are a gift to train us - if we will just dig in and let them. Some of the disciplines come easily to us, and some are harder to learn and grow in… but honestly that is part of the fun. So it is my hope to bring some of that ‘fun’ here to my particular table to share with my friends. 

I am going to start with my absolute favorite: Lectio Divina 

Lectio Divina simply means Divine Reading in Latin (please don’t let a silly old language scare you away from a wonderful discipline!) and is a meditative reading of scripture that has been used in the Christian church for centuries. By moving slowly through a Biblical text in 4 different ‘readings’ or ‘movements’ we make room for the Holy Spirit to speak to our need right now through His word. This is super great for getting to the specific application the Lord wants you to apply to your life today. It is also great for teaching us how to listen for the Lord’s voice in scripture while we are reading or studying.

I’ll run through the steps here… and give you a short practice text below as well. I also included my experience of John 1: 1-5 below, so you can get a taste of what it’s like. It is easiest to learn on a ‘story’ text rather than a longer piece like in the letters of the New Testament. So I usually suggest diving into the Gospels for practice, but once you feel like you get the idea, Lectio is helpful anywhere. 

Here is how it works: You will read through the text 4 separate times slowly … if you are able to, try doing it out loud, it's amazing how the word opens to us when we shift our posture even just a little. Take some deep breaths before you begin, get comfortable but not too cozy, and pray for the Holy Spirit to be your guide. 

In the 1st reading, we ask the Spirit to highlight a word or phrase from the text. Don’t overthink this… just whatever stands out to you as you read through. Also don’t analyze this word or phrase … just sit with it and let your curiosity rise … It really is as simple as it sounds.

In the 2nd reading, take your word or phrase from the first reading with you as you ask the Spirit to help you experience the text. Give your mind and imagination into the hands of the Spirit, ask Him to help you find a fresh perspective, see or feel your word or phrase differently, use all 5 of your senses to live out the whole text in your mind. Spend some time letting the Holy Spirit help you explore in your mind’s eye. Again this is not a time to jump ahead and ask what it is all for… just let yourself experience the text and let the Spirit guide you.  

In the 3rd reading, take your word or phrase, and your experience with you as you ask the Spirit of God, ‘What’s my invitation?’ What do you want me to know about You from this text? What do you want me to change, repent of, rest in, or believe? Let the Spirit put all the pieces together as you listen to Him. Perhaps there is an action you need to take, a perspective or posture that needs changing, or you simply need to hear The Lord speak a word of comfort straight to your soul. Any or all of these things can happen! 

The 4th and final reading is the simplest. Read and let the Word hold you, wash over you, and nurture you. Rest. Sometimes there may be a tying up of loose ends but sometimes not. End your time with the Lord with a simple word of gratitude. 

Those are the 4 steps… pretty simple! If you want to try it out, I suggest leaving this open and reading each step again as you enter into each movement. It may feel clunky at first, that’s ok, that’s why it's called ‘practice.’ 

Here below is a good practice text - John 1: 1-5 … starting with a short passage is best when you are just learning, but you will be amazed at what The Spirit of God reveals to you. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

Here is my own practice with John 1:1-5, sometimes it can help to hear how others have experienced it … though each person will have a unique experience with the Word and the Spirit… even each time you come back to this very same text or any other.

I stopped. Closed my eyes. Took some deep breaths. I prayed: Holy Spirit, I invite You to lead me, and reveal Yourself to me through Your Word. 

1st reading: my word/phrase was: ‘In Him was life’ … remember not to overthink it! It felt a little vague at first to me, so I read the passage again and found it easily the second time. But still, I only took a minute or two to read slowly and reflectively and find my word/phrase. 

2nd reading: I definitely took more time here, it was probably 10 minutes or so. I let the Lord take me into my sanctified imagination and let Him show me what He wanted me to see. I thought through the first 2 sentences I saw the Trinity in a dance together in a circle, rejoicing together, happy just to be with one another. Then creation began and the wind of the Spirit blew through their circle and began making the Earth, and the stars, and the cosmos. Jesus just had to speak and the Spirit put it all on display for Him. The 3 encircled the creation and poured love and compassion over it all from far away at first, but then they dove in and explored the nooks and crannies excited by the intricacies and interwoven-way everything works together. Then my word/phrase came into play: as I saw Jesus’ very own heart and soul expressed in those details, shining with His glory. It is His very essence - His life force - that holds it all together. His life glows and allows me to see - when I look with His eyes - the truth in HIs creation. He created and extends His very life and breath into everything. There was a wholeness I haven’t felt before now, experiencing it this way. Of course darkness can not overtake such amazing, overwhelming, creative light!

3rd reading: I asked God what my invitation was … and it came so quickly. ‘Aimee, trust Me. Trust Me. Trust Me with the big. Trust Me with the small. Trust Me with the things you can not imagine or fathom. My heart, my love, my compassion are all over this thing - all of creation - I have got it all. Nothing escapes Me, and nothing will conquer My light.’ I took a minute to acknowledge my finite-ness once again and place myself in the palm of his hand. I looked into His face and declared, “I want to trust You more, please grow my faith - to see things like You do. Help me know that You care for it all more intricately and infinitely than I can.”  Because it came easily this was pretty quick - maybe 5 minutes. 

4th reading: I just felt that sense of wholeness come over me again… I pondered how evil could possibly be a part of things if His wholeness is so grand and full and light. I saw an image of the Earth as the footstool to His throne and realized that all things will come into subjection under His will. He said ‘evil is here to teach…’ with very little else to explain it. I just wanted to accept what He said in faith and trust.  

This was a very big tying up of loose ends for me… perhaps I needed more time in my invitation than I thought. But that’s ok! I do feel rested and refreshed from His Word, and meeting with the Lord! 

Thank You Jesus… I am grateful for Your presence.