I had asked if there were any topics you wanted me to reflect upon in a future Monday meditation.
The following response was repeated by subscribers:
“I would love to hear more about hearing God.”
Let me share how I notice God’s voice and guidance.
Short Video Reflection
In this short video, I share one way journaling helps me notice what God may be praying in me during centering prayer.
Scripture
At a funeral for a friend, the bulletin had the following verse on it from Isaiah 41:10:
“Do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you; I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
I needed this reminder.
God is with me.
God strengthens me.
God helps me.
God upholds me.
Some days I believe this deeply.
Other days I need to hear it again.
Maybe you do too.
Children
We hear God in children.
My niece is 2. She is a bundle of joy, full of laughter and hugs.
She reminds me to not take life so seriously.
She reminds me to enjoy, laugh, hug, and be present.
Silence
Centering prayer is a must for me.
My days go better because of my 1–2 centering prayer sits.
I think of it as a reverse prayer.
God prays in me what I need.
God knows what I need and will pray in me what is best for me.
That might be peace, inner calm, joy, wisdom, or a nudge to take action.
My job is to sit, listen, and then take the next step.
Journaling
Journaling complements my centering prayer practice.
What has God prayed in me during my silent sit?
I like to reflect upon this as I journal.
My method of journaling is simple.
I open my laptop, open the existing Word document, type the date, and begin.
I simply let the words flow.
Inner Nudges
Many of these inner nudges have taken form in the world:
Silence Teaches.
The draft of my second book.
Coaching.
Sit Quietly with God: A Journey into Centering Prayer.
Our move to North Carolina in early 2023.
My new remote job in July 2023.
None of these happened all at once.
They began as quiet nudges.
I listened, trusted, and took the next step.
Nature
I include the ocean, lakes, forests, and mountains when I say nature.
Nature teaches us to slow down.
Nature invites us to listen, smell, touch, feel, and see.
We are to experience nature with all of our senses.
Life moves fast, and nature has a way of slowing us down.
Let us enjoy God’s creation.
The key is to slow down.
Be Still and Know
Let me end with a short selection from my book, Sitting with God.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
I have spoken this verse to myself for years. Its meaning continues to evolve for me.
Then it became, “Just sit and rest in God’s presence.”
Most recently, this verse has evolved to mean just know.
Know what?
“Know that God is always with me.”
I will continue to listen and then go where God takes me.
I hope this helps you notice the many ways God may be speaking.
If you would like help creating a simple daily rhythm of sitting quietly with God, I created Sit Quietly with God: A Journey into Centering Prayer.
It is a simple 30-day journey with short reflections, brief videos, and one simple practice each day to help you move from a scattered mind to peace, clarity, and a deeper relationship with God.
How do you experience God’s presence and guidance?