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Reclaim the adventurous wonder of seeking - Dec 12 PDF Print E-mail
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Wednesday, 13 December 2006
For three weeks now we have been spending our time with Ben Campbell Johnson and his book Calming the Restless Spirit, A Journey Toward God. We will spend two more weeks with this resource as our guide. Today, we will look at what Johnson calls “ an adventurous spirit ” and how that kind of thinking can open our lives more fully to God’s presence. Campbell writes,
“ The way into a personal relationship with God requires a questing spirit, a spirit of adventure. An adventurous spirit exhibits an openness to explore, a willingness to experiment. ” We are challenged, then, to be pro - active in our relationship with God. In particular, Johnson calls us to begin an exercise of praying.

     Johnson was initially brought to this discipline through another resource – Teach Me to Pray by W. E. Sangster. These are Sangster’s simple directives for morning and evening prayer. In the morning, as early as possible, set aside fifteen minutes for prayer and listening to God. Spend some time giving adoration to God – thinking on God’s greatness and the amazing grace God gives to us. Tell God what is in your life that causes you to live in thanksgiving – think about family, health, love, work, friends. Think on these things until you begin to sense gratitude for their presence knowing that they are gifts from God. Think about how you can live a dedicated life to God’s call on your life – realize that you are not your own. Everything about you is a gift from God. Consider ways you can return to God properly that which God has given to you. Ask God for guidance during your praying – go over what you know you will be doing on this particular day seeking direction and preparation to fulfill your responsibilities. This will prepare us for even what cannot foresee. Spend time praying intercessory prayers – have a prayer list
 ( use the one in our newsletter ) and spend time asking God to be known in the lives of other people. Pray for the lonely and the sick and those separated from church. Finally, spend time in quite meditation and reflection. Johnson uses a word that I think is powerful. He says “ brood on love, wisdom, beauty, joy, light, peace, freedom, and holiness. ”

     Johnson recommends ten minutes of prayer in the evening. This is a recap of the day’s events and a time for us to consider how effective we have been at staying true to our calling as children of God. During this time of review, we will have the opportunity to confess to God where we might have failed, and we will be able to properly give thanks for the day and for all the events of the day.

     Don’t be discouraged if, at first, there is an awkwardness to this new experiment. Fifteen minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening may seem like an eternity. If one is disciplined about this approach, however, we will soon yearn for these minutes. They will become an integral part of our day and essential to our health and wholeness of body and spirit.

     Spend some time thinking about how you may have lost a sense of adventure in your spiritual life. Johnson’s book calls us to reclaim the adventurous wonder of seeking and being sought by our Adventurous God. I hope you will venture out.

      Grace and peace,

    
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 December 2006 )
 
 
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