Awakening: Wisdom Part Four
Hi Everyone, I pray that you, at this very moment, are experiencing the presence of God in your day. Now is a good time to be still and let God speak to your heart.
Wisdom Part Four 1
Three weeks ago we began a series of thoughts and observations with regard to wisdom; first with an article titled “Wisdom and Epiphany” and second with some thoughts on “Right Thinking, Compassion and Wisdom”, and thirdly “Wisdom, an Experience of God”. This week we continue with…
Becoming Open to God’s Wisdom
Hearing God is the passion and goal for all spiritual seekers. If we look deep within we know that it those liminal moments when listening to self, to other people and to the world at large gives way to hearing God and God alone, even if for but a moment. Contemplative moments when we are open, non-defensive and in the moment to what God is speaking in our hearts. We find ourselves in these moments practicing God‘s presence. In these moments we find that we become profoundly present to all else, including ourselves, as seen through the eyes of God. These are the moments in our lives when God gives us glimpses of eternity as we are graced with an awareness of all creation from a God’s eye view. When this occurs we hear God’s voice and like young Samuel, with the guidance of Eli, we can say “Speak Lord for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10). These moments when fully experienced tell us who we truly are, revealing our true selves as God’s children created in God’s image and likeness. It is during these deeply connected moments with God that God’s wisdom is spoken into our hearts and we see things as they truly are. Like Elijah we obediently go to the mountain to meet God and to become attuned to God’s voice and presence, as we listen to the sound of sheer silence (1 Kings 19:12b). These are moments that we cannot manufacture, often they just come, but we do need to exercise patience as it is in the waiting that we are being led, often without even realizing it. Waiting thus becomes an act of faith as we allow our minds and hearts to become immersed in both a deeper knowledge of and yearning in and for the One in whom we wait. Like the psalmist we cry out…
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. NRS Psalm 25:5
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. NRS Psalm 62:1-2
How can we become more open to God’s wisdom?
1) Find a good spiritual director. Go back and read 1Samuel 3:1-10. You will find that God’s wisdom came to Samuel during a period when the people’s ability to hear God’s voice was rare. Samuel at first was confused by God’s voice calling him, thinking it was Eli. But Eli realized it was God speaking to Samuel and thus was able to guide Samuel by telling him to listen to God who is speaking to him. It seems that it may be helpful toward becoming more open to God’s wisdom by working with a good spiritual director.
2) From Elijah (read 1 Kings 19:7-13) we learn that God speaks in the sound of sheer silence. The wind, fire and earthquake came but Elijah heard God’s wisdom in the sound of sheer silence and the solitude of the mountain to which God had sent him. It appears that we become more open to God’s wisdom as we go where God sends us, we find a place of solitude and silence, listen and then obediently respond to God’s voice in our lives.
3) Finally wisdom most certainly is fruit born fruit from patiently waiting for God. The liminal place of wisdom cannot be rushed. God will not be rushed. Patience is an act of faith, faith that God is with us. Perhaps it is when we embrace this reality that we receive all the wisdom we really need.
Next week; God’s Wisdom and Our Self-Knowledge
1 Excerpted from The Awakening Institutes Seminar on Christian Wisdom.
Coming in the Fall of 2017
Introduction to the Enneagram Eleven Week Course
This is an Eleven week (27.5 hour) course into the fantastic world of the Enneagram.
This class will include an in-depth look into all nine spaces as well as their subtypes, wings, triads and Holy ideas, with emphasis on its usefulness within the context of spiritual direction and self-care.
Syllabus is now available; theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com
Want to learn more about the important practice of spiritual direction, or are looking for a spiritual director to walk with you in your spiritual journey?
Contact “The Awakening Institute”
321-298-8801
theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com or visit our website www.theawakeninginstitute.com
Coming this Fall
Christian Mysticism in Today’s World
Course Description: This is an 12 week course, (2 1/2 hours per session), designed to help the student discover the most important dynamics of Christian Mysticism, both in its historical context as well as the many ways it has, and continues to develop today. We will use a three-fold approach, which includes 1) Defining mysticism historically and what it means for disciples today. 2) Answering the question, “Who is a mystic?” and 3) the way of the mystic.
Syllabus now available, email: theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com
Upcoming Classes and Seminars
Introduction to Spiritual Direction
Contemplative Listening
Lectio Divina
Centering Prayer
Exploring Spiritual Dispositions
Introduction to the Enneagram
And much more…
Request a free syllabus today: theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com
To register please call 321-298-8801
Or visit our website www.theawakeninginstitute.com for a complete listing of available classes and a free syllabus for a class of your choice.
Community Bible Experience
This is an encounter with God’s Word designed for those who wish to experience the Scriptures at a deep heart level, as a way to inner transformation.
Coming in the summer of 2017
The Gospel of John
Watch for details
Do you know someone who would like to receive “Awakening” every Friday?
Send us their email address and we will make it happen.
Some recommendations for excellent spiritual guidance…
cac.org
henrinouwen.org
couragerenewal.org
contemplative.org
contemplativeoutreach.org
willwillimon.wordpress.com
paintedprayerbook.com
If you have others to share with our readers please send them to theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com
Something to Ponder
Both anger and hatred increase anger. But almsgiving and meekness diminish it even when it is present.
Evagrius Ponticus,
Chapters on Prayer, 20
Enneagram Training Courses
Introduction to the Enneagram Seminar
A Six hour seminar,
February 18th, 9:30-3:00,
1 hour break from 12:00nonn to 1:00pm
At Epworth UMC
7651 Johnson Street
Hollywood, Florida, 33024
During this seminar we offer the following as an introduction the amazing enneagram.
Historic Background
The Three Part Symbol and Its Nine Points
Body, Heart, and Head
Initial Exploration Into Discovering Your Space
Subtypes (Self-Preservation, Social and One-to-One)
Arrows (growth through stress points and healing the child heart)
Self-care (vice to virtues)
Cost for this seminar is $25 prepaid before February 1st and $35 after February 1st
Feel free to email theawakeninginstittue@gmail.com or call 321-298-8801 for further details
A Gathering of Spiritual Directors
This coming spring The Awakening Institute will host a gathering of spiritual directors. The reason for the gathering is to come together in prayer and to seek discernment regarding ways we can, together, raise awareness within the church of how spiritual direction can be a vehicle by which God’s presence and voice can be more deeply felt and more clearly heard, at both individual and congregational levels. If you are a spiritual director and would like to join in this conversation please contact Gene Yotka at 321-298-8801 or email theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com for additional details.
Recommended Reading
(Additional to our daily Scripture reading)
Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer, by David-Steindl Rast
I Am A Follower, by Leonard Sweet
Becoming Human, By Jean Vanier
Knowing As We Are Known, by Eugene T. Yotka
Let Your Life Speak, by Parker Palmer
Desiring God’s Will, by David Benner
Walking In The Light, by Steve Harper
Thoughts in Solitude, by Thomas Merton
Incarnation: The Surprising Overlap of Heaven & Earth, by Will Willimon
The Mystic Way of Evangelism, by Elaine A. Heath
A Hidden Wholeness, by Parker Palmer
The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen
Way of Love: Recovering the Heart of Christianity, by Norman Wirzba
Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr
Between the Dark and the Daylight, by Joan Chittister
New Seeds of Contemplation, by Thomas Merton
New! Love Henri, by Henri Nouwen
Have Something You Would Like to Share?
Awakening would be blessed to receive original articles, poems, or artistic work that would be helpful and edifying for those interested in Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Direction, and/or Soul Care for future publication.
Please submit via email to theawakeninginstitute@gmail.com