Lectio Divina

"The phrase lectio divina, difficult to translate adequately, is the Latin for “sacred reading.” Personally, I like to translate it as reading which is sacred. Ordinarily lectio is confined to the slow perusal of sacred Scripture, both the Old and New Testaments; it is undertaken not with the intention of gaining information but of using the texts as an aide to contact the living God. Basic to this practice is a union with God in faith which, in turn, is sustained by further reading. There is no special program or technique to lectio. Even more importantly, one must resist the temptation of covering a given amount of material within a prescribed time frame, a particularly modern temptation. This is more difficult to sustain than first meets the eye, and one will run up against it sooner than anticipated. A person is well advised to linger over a single word or phrase for an indefinite period of time, trusting that it will lead to further texts. Such is one of the most attractive features to  lectio divina, for it is open-ended and subject to continuous growth."

In Lectio Divina this morning, I believe my words to dwell on are "springs forth" from Isaiah 43:18-19,

“Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing;   

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert."

Dave & I have been in the desert for so long, always cared for, always provided for.  Now comes the time for contemplation regarding that time, now comes the time for a "new thing."  Not just financial security, but also ability to help others, as we were helped, to encourage others going through similar struggles. 

I look forward to attending a new church, free of all the drama and pain of the past 2 years.  A "new thing", getting involved and seeing what the Lord has in store.

My phrase for the coming year is "springs forth."  I love it, my heart rests in it.