Following the Challenge

I can hardly do it. Let's face it, this is not an easy assignment for the month. The benefits are clear; a better sense of focus on Christ throughout the day, a stronger connection with God, even a bit more peace in my life. But at what cost? I miss a solid hour of sleep. I'm bored sometimes. As I've challenged myself for an hour each day to contemplate this thing we call faith and God and Jesus, I"m not sure I have figured anything out. However, I'm not sure that is the point. Is contemplation a means to an end, or is it the end? Is the connection that comes from stopping oneself in the middle of our lives the important aspect here?

I'm beginning to think that it is the end itself. A greater connection to the thing you contemplate. So then, there is the rub; what are you choosing to spend your time? What is the object of your contemplation. I started it out with being MY interaction with God. However, I'm beginning to think it might be GOD'S interaction with me that is more important.

I know, how incredibly narcissistic of me, right? To think of myself. But I think that this is one of the reasons that we are not incredibly contemplative. We have an inability to see the reality outside of ourselves. We are foolishly running around this world thinking that we are the center of it. This creates in us a dichotomy of wanting to care for others, but having them fall far short of wanting to care for ourselves. A nasty little trick.

Just a word on Creating space:

This is something that can be misconstrued. When I think of living a more contemplative life, I am not seeking to create "Alpha Wave Patterns," nor am I looking to introduce some sort of eastern spirituality into our faith tradition. Rather, I am hoping that there is a desire to create space for God to work. A time when we are not necessarily seeking for what we want in life, but a place to begin to see where God is working in your heart.

Often, the idea of contemplative prayer (and this means many different things depending on context) are seen as an encroaching of spiritualism into our faith. That is certainly a concern. However, the precedent that Jesus set (Luke 5:15 and 16 other references) for a time of reflection, prayer and connection with the Father is important, and we need to make sure we are not ignoring the space that we need to create a strong connection with Jesus Christ. 

Just a point of clarification.

tjg

Comments

[Josiah Golles]

Hey Tim, Just wanted to make a comment about 'creating space'. I thought seriously about doing this one hour a day meditation/reflection period. I play classical guitar and I have considered that meditation. But like you said, it really isn't because the guitar, while a good tool, distracts from the total availability of your mind to God. I think God needs space to work in us. The real reason I'm leaving a comment is that I wanted to tell you about a different approach that I tried a few years back. Basically, along with some others I fasted from Media of all kinds for two weeks. And then added a fast from negative words. The removal of media (TV, interenet, Movies, etc) was replaced by prayer and meditation and I have never felt peace like I did during that time. I hope that this experience you're having has helped you in that way.