photo credit: flickr (creative commons)
From Sundi Jo: This is a guest post by Carl Jones. He is a former youth pastor and current friend of Jesus. You can read his daily posts here or follow him on Twitter.
Are you seeking a more intimate relationship with the Christ? Like any relationship, your connection to Jesus requires a commitment of time and effort. You must seek Him. You must follow Him. Read the guided meditation written below, or better yet, ask someone to read it to you. Close your eyes and soak in the things the meditation asks you to visualize. Move slowly. Be WIDE OPEN to what Jesus has to say to you in these moments. Remember this quote from Richard Foster as you begin: “Our adversary (Satan) majors in 3 things:
- noise
- hurry
- crowds
If he can keep us engaged in ‘muchness’ and ‘manyness’ he will rest satisfied.”
Get Behind Me
A Guided Meditation
Stop! Slow down! Take a breath.
Recall the events and activities that have filled your week so far.
How much of that time has been spent doing good for others?
How much of that time has been spent doing things for your own personal pleasure or gain?
Now imagine you have arrived at a peaceful place. It is a place you know well, a place you love. You are sitting and resting. Jesus approaches you. He sits with you. He begins to list all of the activities and events from your week. He takes your hand, looks into your eyes and says “Get behind me.”
Now think again of your busy week. Only this time, imagine that you are following Jesus as He leads you. Have your activities and choices changed? Are there things you did or said that you do not want Jesus to see or hear? Turn to Jesus. Ask Him what things in your life you need to change so that you may follow Him more closely.
Ask for guidance and courage to follow the Christ. Ask for direction, that you would know what path to follow. Tell Jesus you seek to go where He would lead you in life. Understand that you cannot follow when you are leading…
Get behind Jesus.
Be still and know that He is God.
What is one thing you can take our of your life, or decrease in order to strengthen your commitment with Jesus? Comment below…