Monday Morning Meditation
01-08-2024
Dear Listening on the Journey Reader,
A few months ago, I had a feeling the blog post I have been writing for over seven years was to go in a different direction. Prayerfully, I asked God if the time had come to stop writing the blog, but I felt the answer to that question was “Not now.” In discussing further with a spiritual director friend and peer supervisor, she agreed.
A few weeks ago, I had a “Goldilocks idea” that felt “just right.” So, beginning today, Monday, January 8, 2024, I am going to post the first workday each week what I’ll call “Sue’s Monday Morning Meditation.”
The Monday posting—at least as I envision now—will consist of a small portion of Scripture, some type of prayer, a brief comment, reflection question, and of course, one of Ron’s beautiful photographs.
Learning to meditate on God’s thoughts and ways has been a critical part of my spiritual formation. Biblical meditation includes:
contemplating deeply and repeatedly the Triune God, generally through inspired words of Scripture;
staying focused, paying attention to written words as well as my own thoughts and reactions;
considering how to apply my contemplation to everyday life.
So, here goes:
Sue’s First Monday Morning Meditation
Scripture: So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (Romans 12:1 MSG)
Prayer:
Guided by You
Teresa of Ávila (1518-1582)
Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,
always follow Your plans,
to perfectly [discover and] accomplish Your Holy Will.
Grant that in all things, great and small,
today and all the days of my life,
I may [discover and] do whatever You require of me.
Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace,
so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour.
May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me,
in me, and through me.
Amen
Comments: Along with my word for the year—DISCOVER—I have chosen this prayer as the one to guide me through the next 12 months. (The bracketed words in the prayer were added by me.) I met Teresa of Ávila during a pilgrimage to Spain in 2017, and she became a dear “ancient” friend. Deeply intelligent, determined, and spiritually sensitive, Teresa truly was one liberated lady who discovered freedom in Christ during a historical time when women were de-valued. Her example inspires me to be courageous enough to step into my God design and humble enough to realize I can only do this as God enables.
Reflection Question: Considering today’s responsibilities and activities—no matter how great, small, significant, or mundane—how can I honor God by responding to “the slightest prompting of Grace?”
Blessings on your meditations this Monday!
