Spiritual exercise
photo shot at Bryce Canyon, Utah
Do you often feel anxious? Worried? Confused? Overwhelmed? Tired? I would imagine if you are like me, these words can speak to a part of your everyday life in some form or another. We are human. We are in need. We look for breaks in our day to rest for a moment and catch our breath. It is in our created nature to need to be refreshed by resting.
Invitation. I invite you to sit for a moment to catch your breath and rest. Engage with me in *“practicing a preference for God.” See how the feelings of anxiety, worry, confusion, overwhelming and tiredness diminish as you take a break, breathe, and rest for a moment.
Spiritual Exercise. This exercise is a slow reading, a contemplative practice of Imaginative prayer following Bartimaeus’ interaction with Jesus in the gospel of Mark 10:46-52. Click on the links to follow the exercise and view the image.
Image: Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road [as was his custom]. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Jesus, [g]Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” 48 Many sternly rebuked him, telling him to keep still and be quiet; but he kept on shouting out all the more, “Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, telling him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (my Master), let me regain my sight.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.
*taken from Discerning Leader podcast by Steve Macchia (see Resonating Resources)
