Last night in our Bible study, I stretched our group beyond what was probably the comfort zone for some. I walked them through a Christian practice called Prayerful Reading or Lectio Divina. With this practice, we try to settle ourselves and our minds and intently listen to a short passage of scripture. The passage is read two or three times with space between to reflect and meditate on words or ideas that stand out from the passage. Our group was a participatory bunch so it went fairly well.
When we had walked through the practice together, I asked for response. There were varied comments about how hard it is to settle our minds and become still. We talked about the importance of listening. And then I asked about specific things that individuals heard as they listened.
The passage we used included three verses from Psalm 119. Verses 103 through 105 say this, How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
One of the gentlemen in the group spoke up and said what stood out to him in listening to the passage was the importance of spending time in God’s word which brings greater understanding of what is right in God’s eyes so that we have the wisdom to see what is not right. That led to discussion about how easy it is to accept what culture says is true if we do not know what is actually true.
God has given us His word to help us understand what is true and right. We don’t use that truth as a weapon but rather a guide to help us live lives that please the Father.
May we hold fast to His truth today as we walk this path to becoming more like Jesus.
Clay in the Hands 
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