Things may not always be what they seem. God’s truth is often hidden to us, like in a fog. Many times, there is more stirring within the heart or within actions than we may first perceive. The wonder for today is what is happening in God behind the scenes of life.
I have been watching old reruns from a 1990’s television show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. The known premise of the show is a western which depicts the rising of the city named Colorado Springs. I had forgotten why I liked this show in the first place, but here I am many years later drawn to it again. What I have discovered is that on a deeper viewing of each episode contemporary topics of injustice and oppression are raised. The viewer is invited to discern for him or herself how to live God’s peace and justice among humanity. Topics of corporal punishment, gender and race prejudgment and oppression, white privilege, character building integrity as well as inclusive love for all God’s people are embodied throughout the six seasons.
When we have an expectant view of life, things, people, and movies with the anticipation of noticing even more of God, we are rarely disappointed.
The Scripture
Today we read a very familiar story of Jesus calling the first disciples from Luke 5:1-11. On first glance we read a story of Jesus teaching. The crowd was so large that he got into the boat by the shore and asked to be pushed out into the water as he taught. After Jesus finished teaching, he asked Peter to put down the nets. Voicing slight protest, Peter obediently followed Jesus’ request and caught an overflowing abundance of fish. In that instance something burst open within Peter behind the scenes. Even though he was standing in the same place, among the same people, Peter viewed himself differently. Jesus knew this interior unseen shift within Peter and was ready to commission him to embody ministry for others to notice God’s presence in the world.
Today’s Prayer Practice
Faith formation is a hidden mystery as we encounter God’s energizing presence. Everything may look the same on the outside but peering through the density of unknowing we discover God’s wisdom, presence, and plan. God speaks to us through all things: written words, the Bible, conversations, thoughts, nature, etc. Our prayer discipline for today visio divina where we anticipate and expect God to speak to us through the ordinary things we see. This could be nature, pictures, and even movies. The process for visio divina (Divine Seeing) is very similar to divine reading in Lectio Divina. You are invited to pray visio divina with a video clip from “In Pursuit of Happyness.”
The Prayer Process
- With the first viewing become familiar with the video segment.
- Following the second viewing, consider what scene from the video caught your heart’s attention?
- Following the third viewing, consider how the scene from the video intersects or connects with your life, or the world; possibly the community in which you live. OR you may ask the questions: Which character are you most drawn too? Consider why you identify with this character. How do the choices of this character resonate with your heart’s stirring in the Spirit of God? Does your focus character ever feel abandoned by God, paralyzed by limiting possibilities before him? Have you ever, like your character, gone through a similar struggle or have feeling of being abandoned by God or dreams dashed?
- Following the fourth and final viewing of the video consider: What is the invitation whispered to you by God’s prayer and presence through this video? Will this whisper lead you to an intentional choice or action? If so, what does that choice feel like, look like, and live like for you?
Close the time of visio divina with a prayer of blessing asking that you embody the invitation from God that you heard.[1]
Enjoy praying.
[1] From Rev. Brenda Buckwell. 2015 The Advent of God’s Word. Woodstock, VT: Skylight Paths Publisher. Modified.
