EXERCISE 17: The Practice – 6: Experiencing God’s Love
Find your inner stillness.
Read Matthew 3:13-17, several times to familiarize yourself with the scene.
See if you place yourself by the Jordan River, watching the scene… Jesus walks into the water… John the Baptiser is waiting… John talks with Jesus for a bit… can you hear what they are saying? (imagine it!)… Then you hear God’s Voice: ‘This is my beloved in whom I well pleased.’
Next, it’s your turn to walk into the water. See if you can hear God say to you: ‘Here is my beloved son/daughter in whom I am well-pleased.’ Avoid protesting that you are not worthy. Just listen to the words.
Let those words resonate within you… If you can recall any time in your life when you felt loved just for yourself, no strings attached, no conditions, no ‘if only.’ See if you attend to the quality of the Voice. What image of God do you have at this time? Don’t critique it, just notice it.
If at first you don’t get anything out of this Exercise, try it again at another time. Get your objections out of the way. We’ll worry later about whether or not this love is deserved, whether it’s real, etc.
Close this Exercise with an expression of gratitude.
Journal your experience.