Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

In the Beginning…

As we are entering into the final week of this plan, we are going to look even more closely at God the Son, who entered history as the man called Jesus. It is in Jesus, that the promises of God given to the people of Israel all throughout the Old Testament were fulfilled. It is through Jesus, that people like you and me have been rescued from our sins and reunited with God. It’s safe to say that being Christian is really all about Jesus. So, let us make space to enter into His presence and ask Him to transform us into who He wants us to be.

Let’s get started.

Pray…

Lord of All,you are bigger than the universe and better than I can imagine. Help me to feel your presence and hear your voice. Show me your love and give me your grace. I need you. I want to be more like you. Change me. Guide me. Lead me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Read…

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:1-5 NIV

Consider…

John opens his Gospel account by showing that Jesus has been a key player in the story of the Bible since the very genesis of the universe. John wants to make it clear to us that Jesus is no ordinary man. Jesus is the Word who has existed from the beginning with God, and who is God. Everything that we see and even the things we don’t were made through Jesus. He is the light of the world and His light shines into the darkest parts of our lives and the darkest parts of this world.

Where do you want to see the light of Jesus shine in your life? What secret sins do you need to bring into the light so you can be healed and forgiven?

Take a moment to imagine what it would have been like to be in John’s shoes all those years ago. Walking and talking with Jesus, the Son of God who is one with God.

Listen…

Find a comfortable place where you won’t be distracted. Maybe a cozy chair, a closet, or even sitting outside on a porch.

Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

Ask God to speak to you, and sit quietly, eagerly listening for what He has to say.

Settle in by praying these words adapted from a prayer the Apostle Paul included in Ephesians:

Father God, Give me the power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Fill me to the brim with all the fullness of you. In Jesus name, amen.

When you get distracted, repeat the prayer above to help you bring your attention back to God.

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and head into the rest of your day with a clearer sense of His presence.