Dwelling places: Holding contradictions

Praying in the midst of…  

Storm and calm. Peace and chaos. Fear and courage.

What others words come to mind?

Have you ever felt or experienced trying to pray but your thoughts and prayers are met with contrasts, distractions, or unclear direction?

We can probably all say yes to this feeling, and experience, and throw our hands up, maybe even quit. So how do we hold these in prayer? From my own experience, there is a tension to have to choose one or the other. Do we have to choose? Or can we hold them, our contradictions, and offer them both as real honest, sincere and simple realities, and offer them to God who is able to hold them with us and for us?

Let’s walk through them together.

By Ludolf Bakhuizen

Storm and calm.

Is this really what is going on in this image? Within this moment in the boat with Jesus?

Let ‘s sit with this image for a moment. Scan the image.

What are you noticing? What is drawing your attention?

Pause. Close your eyes for a moment if you wish.

In prayerful silence, listen, ask the Lord about this scene and a place in your life today? Is there a connection or something resonating?

Take your time with the image, gazing and listening.

Let’s move into reading the passage from Mark 4:35-41.

What word or phrase is inviting your attentiveness?

Take a moment to read through these words, a few times, pausing between each reading. Listen to where your mind and heart, the voice of God is drawing you in.

How might God be calling your to respond to the contradiction of storm and calm?

An Invitation for us.

Through out your week. Take moments to pause. Be open and vulnerable with the Lord. Spend time with God offering Him your contractions, distractions, and unclear direction.

Sit in silence and solitude for 5 minutes (or more). Listen. Wait.

Trust. God is doing everything and we are doing slow, attentive, and trusting “work” and yes, maybe “nothing” as it would appear in the eyes of others. But God. He knows and sees you.

Try gazing at the image again. And/or reading the passage in Mark 4: 35-41. Trust and see where the long presence with God goes with you. He is for you!

Let’s do this together for one week.

Each day, remember to offer Gratitude. Pray with thanksgiving. Selah.