Do You Expect Jesus To Show Up?

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I recently read Holy Silence:  The Gift of Quaker Spirituality, 2nd Edition by J. Brent Bill.  Two sentences jumped off the pages at me.  “Quaker silence is pregnant with holy expectation.  It is filled with anticipation that Jesus will be there.”

I immediately began to think about my centering prayer practice.  If you are not familiar with centering prayer below are its four simple steps in my words.

1. Select a sacred word as the symbol of your intent to open yourself to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sit comfortably, close your eyes and internally repeat the sacred word slowly and silently.
3. When you become aware of thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, return ever so gently to your sacred word.
4. At the end of the centering prayer session, remain in silence for a minute or two before you resume your daily activities.

During step 2, I open to the presence and action of God within.  I have decided to change my posture as I begin my centering prayer sit.  Yes, I open to the presence and action of God within.  However, I enter this holy session filled with excitement and anticipation.  I expect Jesus to show up.  Why wouldn’t he?  Jesus loves me!  Jesus is thrilled that I want to sit in silence with him.  I imagine it is like when two best friends get together and enjoy the time they spend with each other.

Of course, I eventually let go of this excitement and return to my sacred word as described in step 3.   As I detach from my emotions, thoughts and even physical sensations, I open to God.  I let God pray in me at a level much deeper than my emotions, thoughts and physical sensations. God works on my soul.

It is difficult to explain but I arise from my silent sit refreshed and calm.  I am ready to begin the day and tackle the tasks that lie before me.  If it is my second sit, I am always amazed by how it re-energizes me and helps me finish the day.

My silent sits are not daily chores.  They are holy moments.  I enter them filled with anticipation, expectation, excitement and joy.  Jesus waits for me.  Jesus expects me.  Jesus is excited to sit with me too.

Go Further:

J Brent Bill, Holy Silence

J Brent Bill, Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble Toward Simplicity and Grace

J Brent Bill, Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment

Holy Silence: The Quaker Way by J. Brent Bill:  Quaker silence is not about stillness, as such, but rather about encountering God in a living and vital holy hush. This e-course encourages women and men to undertake a journey of spiritual silence. The destination is a quiet inner place where God teaches us directly. Friends (as Quakers are formally known) have been honing their take on silence for more than 350 years. It’s a silence that invites us to an immediate and personal encounter with God. That’s because Quakers believe that when we are silent, then the Spirit of God grants us insights, guidance, and understanding of spiritual truth.

 

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