A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to my new contemplative garden which I created in response to our October and November theme Gratitude as Guests of the World . Each morning I sit in the dark for a few minutes, reciting the first few verses from John’s gospel. I particularly love The Voice translation.
Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking.
The Voice was and is God.
2 This celestial Word remained ever present with the Creator;
3 His speech shaped the entire cosmos.
Immersed in the practice of creating,
all things that exist were birthed in Him.
4 His breath filled all things
with a living, breathing light—
5 A light that thrives in the depths of darkness,
blazes through murky bottoms.
It cannot and will not be quenched. (John 1:1-5)
It is good, this sitting in the dark, alone with God, in the moments before the light of dawn brings everything into focus. My eyes must attune themselves to see and in that seeing the true splendour of God is often revealed.
Next, sitting with a heightened sense of the presence of God around me, I light the candles in my circle of light that surrounds my sacred space. I image that the living, breathing light of Christ lights them with me. Then I focus on my garden for a time of meditation. It too glows with light, a light that shines in, through and around the gifts and blessings of the garden.
Each morning it seems God inspires me with new thoughts, ideas and images, many of which I express in short prayers that I post on Instagram and Facebook. This is a very special time for me and I cherish the thoughts and prayers that result so I brought some of them together in this short meditation video. I hope you enjoy it too.
Perhaps you are also inspired to spend time meditating on scripture in the dark. Start with the verses above. Read them in several translations. Which words or phrases catch your attention? Sit and savour them for a few minutes. Now turn on the lights and read the scripture again. How does your perception change? What is God saying to you through these scriptures today?
As I did this today, I became very aware of the light shining from the candle in the small votive holder into and through the crystal polar bear. It took my breath away. It’s like the living, breathing light of Christ that fills all things and and radiates through all things, I thought. Not surprisingly, another prayer which I have not yet incorporated into a video came to mind:
I start my day in the dark,
Aware that alone I cannot see,
A single step ahead.
All is mystery.
All is hidden and unknown.
Only God’s light illumines the path.
Only Christ’s light shines before me,
Only the Spirit’s light guides me when I stumble.
The darkness is not dark to God.
It glows with the living, breathing light.
That shapes all things,
Surrounds all things,
Shines through all things.
It cannot and will not be quenched.
(c) Christine Sine 2022
We all need the Wholeness of God…this resource includes reflections and activities for coping and thriving during the COVID-19 challenges in search of shalom as well as hope for restoration during and after this period of social distancing.