The Word is Alive!

All around me I heard weeping.

I had led the morning devotion at a women’s retreat and sent the women to interact quietly with God. What He did next was astonishing. 

I was teaching the spiritual discipline, “Lexio Divina.” Basically it is staying with a passage that God makes stand out as you read and asking Him what He wants to show you in it.

Lexio Divina is a conversation with God through His Word. As I dig into the verse the Spirit brings forth what He wants to change in me or grow in me or teach me. The passage is where we meet.

So, this particular morning not a single woman got past the first part of the first verse of the passage I gave them. The Lord drew all of their attention to the fact that they didn’t actually see themselves as God does. They didn’t truly believe that they were chosen, holy and beloved as the verse said. Now they felt the depth of what it meant to be the beloved of God and all they could do was cry in amazement.

The Word is alive and able to transform us. All we need to do is engage with it. Too often we read to read instead of read to connect with the Author. But, when we go to His Word expecting to meet with Him, expecting Him to use what He has written to change our souls then that is exactly what happens. 

Want to try it?

Here is the process. First you choose a passage to read but when a verse or word jumps off the page or tugs at you, stop. Next, ask the Lord what He wants to show you through this. Read and reread. 

What happens inside you as you reread it?  Do you believe it?  Do you struggle with it?  Does it bring you to joy or praise?  Is it showing you something about your life or heart that God wants to help you with?  Allow the Scripture to interact with your thoughts, hopes, memories and desires.  Ponder it in your heart – take it in and allow His word to touch and affect you at your deepest level as you repeat it to yourself.  

Be in His presence and discuss whatever this portion of Scripture has brought to the surface. Enter a loving conversation with God.  Ask the Lord what it is about this word or phrase that He wants to tell you or teach you. 

Talk with Him about your thoughts and emotions in response to the Word.   Let this interaction with Christ touch and change your deepest self.  You may find a new understanding of the Word or receive healing or gain more intimacy with God. Whatever it is that Christ wants to do through this piece of Scripture, stay with Him here until you feel a resolution and peace.

Finally, rest in the presence of the One who has used His word to meet with you.  Rest in His transforming embrace.  Words now are unnecessary.  Be in quiet rest in the presence of the One Who loves you.  Let go and enjoy being with Him.  Rest with Christ and allow your heart to move to praise. 

Below is the passage I gave the women that morning. Read it for yourself with the Lord present. Allow Him to bring to your attention where He wants to meet with you. Expect that He will use His Word and draw you closer to Him.

And so, those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.                                    Colossians 3:12-17

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