 This is a guide to help you encounter God through reflection, listening & prayer. Use this in your times of prayer, retreat, and Sabbath. Click here to get a printable version of this guide. SETTLE INTO GOD’S PRESENCE Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and slowly quiet your body, mind, and soul. Adjust to the silent stillness. Reflect on where you have been, what you have been doing, and what you have felt and experienced in the last several weeks. How has God been present to you? What are the things occupying your mind and heart? What hopes and fears do you have as you prepare to meet with God? Share these thoughts and feelings with God. Listen. OPENING PRAYER Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (From the Book of Common Prayer) SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 13:44-46 Take a few moments to sit with the following passage. Read through it, allowing it to wash over you, and speak to you. What words or verses caught your attention? Hold these words in your mind, paying attention to what is going through your mind and heart. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
CLOSING PRAYER Almighty God, you have surrounded us with a great cloud of witnesses: Grant that we, encouraged by the good example of your servant, may persevere in running the race that is set before us, until at last we may with him attain to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (From the Book of Common Prayer) How was your experience as you went through this guide? How did God speak to you? Please share in the comments. If you want more like this, check out the Spiritual Journey library for more guides. Want guidance and inspiration for your spiritual journey delivered to your inbox?
Sign up for my email newsletter Notes From Larissa.  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness He called night." I love creating art. Writing, acting, cooking, teaching, even parenting - all of these mediums are forms of creativity for me. They are activities that nurture my soul, and breathe joy into my life. In art and creativity we don’t just find ourselves, we find God. The first characteristic of God Scripture reveals to us is that he is creative. He creates. He moves through formlessness and void, and makes something that had never before existed. I recently had the chance to participate in something wonderfully creative. It was a collaborative project that demanded a lot of energy, focus, and attentiveness to God. As we created, rehearsed, and performed, my inner artist experienced a burst of joy. Something deep in each of us is made to create. Creating art is a core part of our imago dei, our God-likeness. Now, back in my “regular” life, I am left wondering how to continue creating art, and reflecting God through living a creative life. I don’t believe art is limited to brushstrokes on a canvas. The heart of creativity is what we see in Genesis 1. Creativity is calling forth something out of a void. Creativity is using our power to coax and nurture new life into existence. Creativity is putting beautiful order to a jumbled mess. Creativity is seeing and naming the value of something that didn’t have much of an identity. Creativity is partnering with God to shape a new reality into being. So where in our lives do we practice this spiritual discipline of creativity? Where do we partner with God in the act of making art? Well, it can happen in a million different ways. We use our words to influence, teach, guide, inspire, or encourage someone. We create a home that is welcoming to anyone who steps through our doorway. We develop meaningful relationships with our neighbors, coworkers, and strangers. We do what is right and just, even when it feels hard or foolish. We craft a meal that reminds people of the simple truth that they are loved. We help a child learn to read a book and enter a story with curiosity. We envision how things could be and cast vision and change culture. We make something beautiful, for beauty’s sake. We enter into grief or pain with a friend. We process our emotions and thoughts, and translate them into written words. The opportunity for art and creativity is all around us. It is in the air we breathe. The question is, will we partner with the Divine Creator? ACTION & PRACTICE Take a moment to reflect about the various facets of your life - your family life, your work life, your ministry life. Where, in those areas, do you have the opportunity to create art? How might God be inviting you to see yourself as a creator? Where in your life do you create art? How can you practice the spiritual discipline of art and creativity? Please share in the comments. If you enjoyed this post, check out these related posts: How to Pay Attention to the Health of Your Soul Why You Need to Master the Art of Saying "No" to the Nonessentials Want guidance and inspiration for your spiritual journey delivered to your inbox?
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WELCOMEHi, I'm Larissa. I am an artist and spiritual director on the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i.
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