#newbeginning#courage#crossover#promissedland#spiritualpractice#spiritualdirection
Have you experienced times on your spiritual journey that you sense it is a crossing over into a new more expansive place? Perhaps a door is closing behind you and you will need courage and guidance in order to step into this new unknown adventure. As I read an old familiar passage I was graced with new ways of interacting with it and thought I would share this sacred conversation with you, allowing for a fuller collective conversation. As you interact with the readings and reflections I would welcome your piece of sharing to deepen and widen our ongoing journey together toward our promised land.
Read the passage slowly, and perhaps aloud, three times listening for a word or phrase that sparkles for you. Imagine yourself in the story and reflect on your word or phrase, consider if it is inviting you into anything new or renewed. Once you have done this sacred reading, perhaps interact with the reflection questions. Let me know your experience.
1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea[a] in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reflection Questions:
On your journey has there been a spiritual death or closed door that needed to take place in order to hear the Holy One's voice of instruction fresh, perhaps old ways of looking at God's word that are restrictive rather than expansive or maybe a human leader that served you well in the past but is either unavailable or is no longer life giving in your current experience?
Has there been a Jordan you had to cross over in trust and obedience in order to step into your promised land that God had prepared for you? Have you lead others over this Jordan as well? Do you sense a current invitation from the Holy One to cross a Jordan? What would it be? Who would you bring? What would this expansive promised land look like?
As you prepare to cross over are there any obstacles in your way? How can you be strengthened with courage?
What passages and promises from God's word and other sacred readings might assist you on your journey? What meditative/contemplative practices will help you and remind you of God's presence?
Finally, how can I accompany and support you on your spiritual journey?
(c) Carol Mullen, Soul's Sanctuary Spiritual Direction & Retreats