Becoming Like Jesus: Silence and SolitudeSample

Reconciling All Things

Pray…

Our Father in Heaven. May your name be kept holy. May your will be done and may your kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today what we need. Forgive us our sins and we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. In Jesus name, amen.

Read…

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. - Colossians 1:13-20 NIV

Consider…

There is so much to unpack in this passage of Scripture, but for now, just focus on that last verse, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God made a way for all people to be forgiven of their sins and to have eternal life with Him. Not just good people or religious people. All people. And, because He loves us, God gives us the choice to receive the grace that Jesus offers, or not.

Why do you think some people refuse to put their trust in Jesus? Have you ever questioned your own commitment to Jesus? Why do you keep following Him?

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.