Lectio Divina
I wanted to share an ancient prayer practice called Lectio Divina. I just learned this technique in Betsy's Wednesday night (6pm, 4th floor) class about the book "Creating a Life with God" by Daniel Wolpert. Although I still struggle to settle my mind, I find that this technique allows a particular Bible phrase or verse to pop back into my mind throughout the day. Give it a try and see if it works for you!
Lectio Divina has 4 steps: lectio (reading), meditatio (pondering), oratio (responding), contemplatio (resting). Basically, you pick a Bible passage and read it through twice. This is not a Bible study but rather a chance to allow a certain phrase or idea to catch your attention. Once you find your phrase you can repeat it to yourself many times and allow God a chance to conjure up images in your mind or respond to you in various ways. At last, you are to respond and you pray to God about how the phrase works in your life. Once your conversation with God comes to a natural close you may rest a minute before saying, "Amen." The book suggests starting with Mark 1:14-20 or Isaiah 40:1-5.
Your Passion
I'm a fairly avid peruser of the Huffington Post, and I was checking out today when I found a story by Sean Aiken where he was in search of a job he was passionate about. He spent 1 week at a new job for 52 weeks. It's a really neat story and he's had some crazy and cool jobs, but I think he brings up a more serious point behind the wackiness of the story.
"Are you doing what you're passionate about?"
I have to admit, I don't like that phrasing. I don't truly believe in extreme passion for most everyone. I think there are a few people out there that do have a passion for something, but I like to think most of us can do pretty much anything and get worn out pretty quick.
I'd like to ask, "Why are you doing what you're doing?"
Are you in your line of work for money, security, comfort, passion? Are you serving someone else's desires, like your parents, spouse, friend or boss? Does your job fall in sync with your political, social and religious beliefs?
If you're not happy, consider a change. I'd like to encourage everyone to find something they enjoy and do that. Think about what you spend your free time thinking about, talking about or doing. Your passion probably lies somewhere in that. What constructive things to you do for free? There's a good chance you can find a job out there that will pay you for it.
