A dear friend of mine sent me an article from Good News Magazine discussing the focus and trends of the United Methodist Church, entitled "Essentials for Transformation." This article contained some interesting quotes which I will share, but I want to begin with its overall focus on the reality of Jesus and intimacy in relationship with Him. Following are some of the quotes:
"Popular society tells our kids they are worth nothing. So, sometimes we lead them in an exercise to just be quiet and ask what God thinks of you. They are usually shocked by the messages that the Holy Spirit conveys to them about how highly they are thought of by God" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"These remarks are reminders of what mission is about when it is transformational, having moved beyond the theoretical and into the reality of revolutionizing broken lives" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"We thought our kids were too messed up for God to help them. That was before we reached a turning point in our ministry that caused us to realize that we had to depend on the power of God. Supernatural, divine intervention is the ONLY effective thing. Their only hope is for the Lord to touch and restore those broken places inside...only Jesus can do it" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"The greatest tool you can give them (children) is intimacy with God. Intimacy with God destroys the work of the devil" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"The reality of the living Jesus brings inner healing, victory in spiritual warfare, and the assurance of one's adoption as a child of God. These are the essential elements for a ministry of transformation, regardless of the context" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
I was greatly encouraged by this article. It appears Jesus is speaking His message of intimacy of relationship, the reality of His living presence, and the transformation He brings through inner healing and truth and people are listening! I was struck in particular by a return to the concept of silence and listening in prayer. Since it has not been discussed in many churches for a long time, many may get the idea that this is a new or semi-new concept, something arising out of a sort of modern humanistic spiritualism. They would be in error. Ever heard the saying, "Everything old is new again"?
The early church knew the power of the presence of God. Early church Fathers, particularly in the Eastern regions of Christian expansion, practiced what is called "Hesychasm." From the Greek word hesychia meaning stillness, quiet, silence and rest, this term refers to going to a place of solitude, specifically within one's own heart, and sitting in stillness and quiet to listen to the voice of God and receive from His presence. The term ultimately grew into our English word, hermit, for someone who lives a solitary existence, but in the early church it had more of a connotation of inner solitude, a quietness of the heart and mind that allowed you to be connected intimately with Jesus. As early as the fourth century, this term is found in writings of the early Christians, and these writing suggest it existed as a practice in even earlier times. We can hope that what was once lost has now been found.
Some early writing suggest repeating over and over again the name of Jesus, or a simple prayer such as "Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner." These suggestions came later (6th century and beyond), possibly due to an increasing loss of connection or difficulty in knowing "how" to become intimate with Jesus. I imagine the concept of the repetitive prayer was mainly about ways to quiet the mind, as the mind can only focus on one thought at a time, and if you force the mind to repeat a thought it can allow you to truly enter into your heart. However, this became ritualized and lost its purpose in later centuries.
Now we have been given by Jesus the opportunity to once again experience the intimacy with Him that both He and we desire. I encourage you, without making it ritual or following any kind of programming, to settle into your heart, quiet your mind in the way(s) that work best for you, and then simply sit in silence and solitude, listening and looking for the voice and presence of Jesus within your heart. If you want a focus for your listening, ask Jesus the question suggested above: "Jesus, what do you think of me?" Then listen for what He wants to show you or tell you. Like the children mentioned in the article, you may be shocked by what you receive.
"Popular society tells our kids they are worth nothing. So, sometimes we lead them in an exercise to just be quiet and ask what God thinks of you. They are usually shocked by the messages that the Holy Spirit conveys to them about how highly they are thought of by God" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"These remarks are reminders of what mission is about when it is transformational, having moved beyond the theoretical and into the reality of revolutionizing broken lives" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"We thought our kids were too messed up for God to help them. That was before we reached a turning point in our ministry that caused us to realize that we had to depend on the power of God. Supernatural, divine intervention is the ONLY effective thing. Their only hope is for the Lord to touch and restore those broken places inside...only Jesus can do it" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"The greatest tool you can give them (children) is intimacy with God. Intimacy with God destroys the work of the devil" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
"The reality of the living Jesus brings inner healing, victory in spiritual warfare, and the assurance of one's adoption as a child of God. These are the essential elements for a ministry of transformation, regardless of the context" (Decker, Frank, 2010).
I was greatly encouraged by this article. It appears Jesus is speaking His message of intimacy of relationship, the reality of His living presence, and the transformation He brings through inner healing and truth and people are listening! I was struck in particular by a return to the concept of silence and listening in prayer. Since it has not been discussed in many churches for a long time, many may get the idea that this is a new or semi-new concept, something arising out of a sort of modern humanistic spiritualism. They would be in error. Ever heard the saying, "Everything old is new again"?
The early church knew the power of the presence of God. Early church Fathers, particularly in the Eastern regions of Christian expansion, practiced what is called "Hesychasm." From the Greek word hesychia meaning stillness, quiet, silence and rest, this term refers to going to a place of solitude, specifically within one's own heart, and sitting in stillness and quiet to listen to the voice of God and receive from His presence. The term ultimately grew into our English word, hermit, for someone who lives a solitary existence, but in the early church it had more of a connotation of inner solitude, a quietness of the heart and mind that allowed you to be connected intimately with Jesus. As early as the fourth century, this term is found in writings of the early Christians, and these writing suggest it existed as a practice in even earlier times. We can hope that what was once lost has now been found.
Some early writing suggest repeating over and over again the name of Jesus, or a simple prayer such as "Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner." These suggestions came later (6th century and beyond), possibly due to an increasing loss of connection or difficulty in knowing "how" to become intimate with Jesus. I imagine the concept of the repetitive prayer was mainly about ways to quiet the mind, as the mind can only focus on one thought at a time, and if you force the mind to repeat a thought it can allow you to truly enter into your heart. However, this became ritualized and lost its purpose in later centuries.
Now we have been given by Jesus the opportunity to once again experience the intimacy with Him that both He and we desire. I encourage you, without making it ritual or following any kind of programming, to settle into your heart, quiet your mind in the way(s) that work best for you, and then simply sit in silence and solitude, listening and looking for the voice and presence of Jesus within your heart. If you want a focus for your listening, ask Jesus the question suggested above: "Jesus, what do you think of me?" Then listen for what He wants to show you or tell you. Like the children mentioned in the article, you may be shocked by what you receive.
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