Finding Courage in the StormSample

Lectio Divina

At least since the fifth century, one of the primary ways Christians have meditated on Scripture is by reading a passage and then following the Jewish idea of "taking hold" and "keeping" God's words (Prov 4:3-4). Christians began calling this process Lectio Divina, which is a Latin phrase for "divine reading" or "sacred reading". The central idea of Lectio Divina is invitation. Lectio Divina assumes that God is inviting us into interaction and conversation as we read Scripture.

There are four traditional steps in Lectio Divina - Read (lectio), Reflect (meditatio), Respond (oratio), and Rest (contemplatio). For our reading, I've added two more: Relax and Refocus (silencio) and Trying it On (Incarnatio).

So, let's get started! Today we'll engage in silencio: Relax and Refocus.

Silencio

We will begin our reading by relaxing and refocusing.

Inhale and exhale a few times. Let go of distractions. Quiet your thoughts and open yourself to God. Be still and know that he is God.

This reading plan is about facing fear. If you need some help focusing your thoughts as you relax and refocus, think of a time when God calmed your fears. What was that like for you? Recall the peace or settledness that you experienced.