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Contemplative Rhythms

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:4 

“I am already tired, and it is just January.” I overheard this statement as I walked through the store. Sometimes I feel like that, too. “I am already tired, and I haven’t done anything yet” was a common refrain in my home growing up.  

God hears the cry of our heart to slow down, to be less pulled by “responsibilities” that surround us. And He answers us with His word. Just reading through these verses (and loads of passages in Psalms) provides peace, a slower pace focused on living in His world rather than our own. Verses like:  

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 

“Remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands & remain in his love.” John 15: 9-10 

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.” Psalm 73:28 

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 NLT 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith.” Hebrews 10:22 

“Come near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8a 

In his book The Deeply Formed Life, Rich Villodas challenges believers to quiet our hearts and minds to be present with Christ. We are invited to live differently, to live the life of Christ. Yet the choice is ours. He has done the work that we may live in freedom. Now it is up to each of us to make the individual and corporate decisions to live in that freedom with the choices we make with our time and our devotion.  

• "As long as we remain enslaved to a culture of speed, superficiality, and distraction, we will not be the people God longs for us to be." - Rich Villodas 
• "It is only when we slow down our lives that we can catch up to God." - NT Wright 
• "Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day." - Dallas Willard 
• "In every activity in which you are engaged, remember that God is present and offer your heart to him in prayer." - Brother Lawrence 

We can develop practices that change the pace and focus of our lives. Contemplative practices lead us to listen deeply to God. Unless we live with an intentional commitment to slow down, we have no hope for a quality of life that allows Jesus to form us into his image. Slowing down brings us to a place of centeredness and stillness before God. It gives us the opportunity to be present to God throughout the day.  

A few contemplative practices that I would encourage you to cultivate if you feel like the pace of life is wearing you thin.  

1. Silent Prayer – focusing our attention upon God through the simplicity of shared presence with Him. Surrendering our words to be present with the Word (Jesus) 
2. Sabbath Keeping – 24-hour period of unhurried delight with no have-tos or ought-tos, resulting in deep rest and renewal. Points to a deeper rest of soul and community (Matthew 11:28)  
3. Slow reading of scripture – take a small passage of scripture. Read it 3x slowly; focus on a word or phrase that the Spirit highlights; pray listening to God speak and speaking freely with him; contemplate, resting in God’s abiding love. (Psalm 1).  
4. Commitment to Stability – remaining connected with others, especially in moments of conflict, tension, and anxiety. Prioritize the union with each other, recognizing the grace, forgiveness and spiritual growth that comes from being committed when annoyed or disturbed. 

Christ continually invites us to live and love differently. Pray for me as I try to live into this different way of life. Know that I will be praying for you as well.  - Caroline Poe

Prayer: Lord, I live at a pace often marked by distractions and speed, yet you call me to a place of depth, stillness, and contemplation. I’m often afraid to stop, because doing so causes me to pay attention to things I would rather avoid. I ask that you give me the grace to slow down so that I may hear the voice that seeks to ground me in love. Apart from you I can do nothing. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.