Area Four: Contemplation or “Contemplatio”
Our Last section is contemplation, a segment of time reserved for resting in God. The goal is to be still while letting your time of prayer continue in appreciation of God Himself. The intent is to enjoy God purely for who He is. In many styles of Lectio Divina, this completes the experience. But I remind you that this is not a rule or law, but a suggested experience – including the order.
Before you engage in the contemplative section, review the week.
Do these things to prepare for today’s devotional practice:
- Practice a period of silence
- Review the reading from Matthew 6:19-21
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
- Call to mind your key word or phrase
- Review the images, shapes, concepts, colors, textures, memories and associations from Wednesday
- Review your dialogue with God over personal hopes, desires, needs, pains – and others you had come to mind
Now simply enjoy God for who He is and for what He has done in relation to all that arose in the week regarding your key word or phrase. Rest in Him, giving Him any anxiety, struggle or pain, thanking Him for all joys and accomplishments. Include all relationships so that none of them fall outside your life with God.
Again. It bears repeating. Ordinarily you would perform all four areas in one sitting, which you have opportunity to do tomorrow with the story of the week.
Journal Prompt:
Notes from my ‘Lectio Divina’ of Matthew 6:19-21:
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 32:1-5
- Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered. - Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit. - When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long. - For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer. - Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
1 John 2:8
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…
The Promise
1 John 2:9
…if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Pondering Point
Notice that God forgives the sin and the guilt of the sin? Some of us could benefit from that truth – and let go of our guilt over sinful choices. What about you?