DAY AND NIGHT: Introduction

 Day and night are relative in relation to the earth. Viewed from an outer sphere, there would be only different shades of light and darkness as the earth moves about the sun. Conditions that exist in the material plane are but shadows of truth in the mental and spiritual planes.

"...and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light day, and the darkness he called night." Thus day and night are figures of speech, spiritual symbols of good and evil. Day is facing towards the source of light, which, to those who seek to do His bidding, is the Voice, the Word, the Life, the Light, that comes into the hearts, minds, souls of all to awaken them to their relationship to the source of Light. Night is facing away from the source of Light.

In the mental, night is the knowledge that the soul is out of harmony with God; day is the first period of awareness of a way back to the source of all power.

In a figurative sense, day and night represent periods of growth and of recuperation - in the earth, the activities of a day and a night of rest.

Search for God Book II, page 151

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE: Simplicity and Poverty

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

Movement: Ponder

Read the following excerpt from Invitation & Commitments: A Rule of Life.

5.4.1      Our life together, in both Residential and Non-Residential expressions, pursues simplicity in a world of increasing complexity. Each member, in prayer and leading by the Holy Spirit, and in collaboration with a spiritual director, should develop his/her own way of living that intentionally moves toward greater simplicity.

5.4.2      As with any formational practices and commitments that are counter-cultural, these are to be pursued with humility and without judgment of others.

5.4.3      We invite members to consider the following areas as contexts where the pursuit of simplicity may come into focus. We choose simplicity not for the sake of simplicity, but for formation of our own lives and the way they are “lived” in the world.

Clothing

5.4.4      Clothing can often be an expression of individuality and a creative outlet for beauty. This can be celebrated and even nurtured. However, it also can be a context for some degree of obsession regarding the latest fashion – feeding a need to “fit in.” We seek to hold these expressions in a tension.

5.4.5      While we do not share a common wardrobe or dictate a “style” of clothing for members, we invite members to consider how their choice of clothing is reflective of their life with God. For example, some may choose to invest in a few items of clothing, manufactured in a way that honors life and is not dependent upon slave-labor. Others may find that choosing clothes at a thrift-store – an approach that “resuses what has not been used up” – allows for a wider variety. In our choice of clothing, we are trying to combat an attitude of consumption.

5.4.6      Our commitment is toward a deep consideration of how our purchase of clothing impacts individuals and cultures that are currently being exploited for cheap labor, often in conditions where injustice reigns.

5.4.8      In pursuit of a life of simplicity, the invitation is toward less, not more.

Food

5.4.9      Our relationship with food, as a culture, is remarkable trouble. Our commitment to simplicity in eating supports our care for our bodies and also supports our commitment to a healthy agricultural system. We invite members to take great interest in what and how they eat, recognizing that what we put into our bodies is often reflected in our emotional life and well-being.

5.4.10    Residential Members will find that meals are simple, but wholesome, well-prepared, but not meant to impress. Where possible, we will use what we can produce, and buy what we need from nearby sources.

5.4.11    Non-Residential Members will be encouraged to dialogue with a spiritual director about food, eating and fasting, and the role of food in spiritual formation.

5.4.13    Each Residential Community will develop its own rhythm of “fasting and feasting” in collaboration with the Director and Lead Spiritual Director.

Possessions

5.4.14    Possessions, the things we have and keep, are often a reflection of cultural values and not necessarily neutral in their effect on our lives. In a western consumer culture, it is often not the possession itself (some new gadget or a smarter phone) that meets a great need, but its acquisition.

5.4.15    Our commitment to simplicity for what we own and keep will not categorically label certain types of possessions to be avoided and others to be embraced. But rather, simplicity regarding possessions will be a consideration in the context of Spiritual Direction and under guidance by the Holy Spirit. We invite members to look deeply at what forces are at work that lead one to want something he/she currently does not have. Through consistent examen and reflection we trust that through the work of the Holy Spirit, any disordered attachment to ownership will be revealed in a member’s life.

5.4.17    It will be assumed that Residential members will have downsized in order to come to live in a Residential Community. Practically, the footprint of one’s room will by itself radically limit the possessions one may bring into a Residential Community.

Technology

5.4.18    Technology is not to be regarded as good or bad. A great deal of technology allows for life, while some life is choked out by our gadgets and our addiction to them. Our commitment to simplicity carries with it a commitment to open-handedness with our engagement with technology.

5.4.19    We seek to be indifferent to the role that this dominant feature of our current culture plays in our life. We are not striving to be counter-cultural simply for the sake of standing against the prevalent culture. However, we recognize simply that our relationship with technology is often not a neutral relationship. The effects of social media, for example, are still not entirely understood. We aim to engage in conversations that seriously consider what is or isn’t best for our personal life and relationships. As in other areas, here there is no hard and fast rule but an invitation toward responding to God through an intentional examen of our current practice.

Poverty

5.4.21    In some contexts, members may feel an invitation toward voluntary poverty. Poverty is not regarded as more spiritual, though for some, a season of intentional poverty may be a path toward a deeper formation. We wish to arrive at a place where we are seeking neither to give up our possessions nor to retain them unless directed by God through prayer and affirmed in community. There are contexts even outside the church where individuals choose poverty as an act of solidarity with the poor and to better understand the plight of those who have little.

5.4.22    We are open to God’s invitation toward voluntary poverty recognizing that we could give away all our possessions to the poor – and yet if we do not have love, we gain nothing. We view poverty as one area that God might extend his invitation to me in my current context.

5.4.24    Decisions for individuals to move toward voluntary poverty will be discerned in each community. Members wishing to enter into a season of voluntary poverty will first present the desire to their spiritual director who will help them in furthering the conversation with those around them.

5.4.25    Members with families, particularly those with children, will be strongly encouraged to take a form of voluntary poverty that does not allow one’s invitation toward poverty to adversely affect one’s responsibilities to provide for one’s family.

Re-read the excerpt, underlining key phrases that stand out to you, and write any personal notes below about what this commitment area entails.

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

Movement: Respond

Reflect on the implications to your life of the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty by answering the questions provided in the book Invitations & Commitments: A Rule of Life.

Clothing: Am I willing to stand against systems of injustice when it is inconvenient for me?

Clothing: Am I content with what I look like? With my body? Why or why not?

Food: How are periods of “fasting” and periods of “feasting” a part of my spiritual formation?

  

Food: What happens to me when I remove food from my life for a period of time?

Food: What happens to me when I celebrate through feasting and abundance?

Possessions: How are the things we have or want getting in the way of following Jesus?

Possessions: Is there currently any possession I am longing for? Is there anything else behind the longing for this possession?

Technology: Where is my relationship with technology creating complexity in my life and relationships?

Poverty: Would a season of intentional poverty help free me up in some way in my life with God?

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

Movement: Recognize

Recognize God’s work in your life and listen as He speaks to your heart by responding to the following questions.

What is God Already Doing?

Write down bullet points or notes about ways God is already working in your life to fulfil the above commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty?

What is God Already Saying?

Write down bullet points or notes of things God has already been speaking to you about in terms of your approach to clothing, food, possessions, technology, and poverty over the last several months to a year? What has He been leading you into in each of these areas that have not been able to realize fully as of yet?

Step Three: Where is God Going?

Read the section from Invitations & Commitments over a few times. As you read, note what areas God is pointing His finger on as an area of opportunity? Do you feel convicted about falling short in any of the areas mentioned? Write those down.

Pray over the above growth areas. Ask God to show you how you can incorporate these practices into practical life. Wait on the Lord for a few minutes to listen to what He wants to say to you about this. Write down any insights or next steps you hear from the Lord.

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

Movement: Pray

Read over the last seven pages slowly, allowing the state of your soul to reflect back to you as in a mirror. Quiet your spirit before the Lord and open yourself to sense His presence.

Write down 2-5 categories or themes that encompass your current and desired state for Simplicity and Poverty.

Using the above themes as a guide, write a reflective prayer to God asking for His help, guidance and forgiveness for the areas you listed on the previous page. This prayer should be applicable to varying practices and situations so it can be read over and over throughout time as you grow and develop in this commitment area. The prayer should not be a checklist, but an intimate heart’s cry to the Lover of your Soul to invite Him into this area of your life and spiritual practice.

Sample of a reflective prayer:

Master and Owner of All I Have, prune my desires so I am content with what I need and resist the temptation to buy the things I want. Be the voice in my head to remind me when to stop eating when I’ve had enough, to eat healthy and to be active. Open my tight fist that I may be generous with those things I have in excess. I give you charge of my pocketbook. Stop me before I spend money foolishly. Let me only buy that which will aid in keeping my commitments. Work in me a poverty of spirit that I may be able to approach Your throne empty-handed so that You can fill them with good things from above. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditate on the following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.

Meditation: Seeing Our Smallness

Movement: Reflect

Read Mark 1:1-11

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,  make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Digest

Sit in silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the passage.

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Seeing Our Smallness

Movement: Consider

Open your heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty.

Read Mark 1:1-11

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,  who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,  make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Underline any key phrases and write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: Surrounded by constant questions about who he was (Mk. 1:7-8, Matt. 3:14, Luke 3:16, John 1:20-21, 26-27) , John the Baptist consistently deflected the question by pointing to the One he was not. The imagery he uses to illustrate his unworthiness is the untying of the Lord’s sandal which was the job of the lowest servant in the Jewish home.

John’s time in the wilderness had taught him his limits. He could not stop his pangs of hunger or the persistent cold of the desert nights. By experiencing human existence at its most basic level, John’s senses were heightened to the things of God. He hears God’s voice and sees into the Heavenly realm as if it were tangible (John 1:34).  – Beloved Servant

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Seeing Our Smallness

Movement: Apply

Examine yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the life of John the Baptist and apply them to your own life history and situations.

What self-sacrifices have you made for the purpose of drawing closer to God?

What distractions are there in your life that could be eliminated to help you better focus on God?

Have you made efforts towards greater simplicity and poverty in your life? If so, how have these changes humbled you?

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Finding Our Joy

Meditate on the following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.

Movement: Reflect

Read John 3:22-4:3

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

Digest

Sit in silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the passage.

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Finding Our Joy

Movement: Consider

Open your heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty.

Read John 3:22-4:3

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[b] gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

4 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

Underline any key phrases and write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation:

For a time, both John and Jesus were preaching in Judea simultaneously. When questioned about Jesus’ popularity, John beamed for joy at the Lord’s success in gathering followers. He had directed some of his own disciples to Jesus early in His ministry (John 1:35-37). For John, his own decrease was the fulfillment of his dream and mission.

The joy which had sparked him in his mother’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:41) had lit aflame when he heard the voice of Jesus, the very Christ Himself.  – Beloved Servant

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Finding Our Joy

Movement: Apply

Examine yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the life of John the Baptist and apply them to your own life history and situations.

Would you agree with the concept that a crowded life is a stressed life? If so, what is there in your life that is crowding out your joy?

Often the simplest things in life are what bring us the most joy. Make a list of the non-material things that you enjoy most in life.

Which of your dreams would flood you with joy if it became real? How could simplicity and poverty help that happen?

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditate on the following scripture passages where John the Baptist demonstrated the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty in real life scenarios.

Meditation: Seeking the Truth

Movement: Reflect

Read Matthew 11:1-19

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 “‘We played the pipe for you,  and you did not dance;  we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Digest

Sit in silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the passage.

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Seeking the Truth

Movement: Consider

Open your heart to consider how the scripture passage personifies the commitment area of Simplicity and Poverty.

Read Matthew 11:1-19

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: 17 “‘We played the pipe for you,  and you did not dance;  we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Underline any key phrases and write your own meditative notes about the passage on the next page.

Sample of a reflective meditation: In prison, John the Baptist’s reality was as simple and as destitute as is humanly possible. Although John did not have any possessions as a wilderness prophet, all he had enjoyed was stripped from him when he was imprisoned – his freedom, his ministry, even his Lord. In the dampness, he experienced a dark night of the soul and doubs began to creep in. He had to talk to Jesus – at least get a message to Him. Had he got it right? Did he interpret the signs correctly (John 1:29-34)? Could he meet God face to face in death with confidence? He does not ask for his freedom from his prison cell, only freedom for his soul and his conscience.

Jesus does more than affirm John the Baptist, He honors him to the crowd with the highest praise. Yet He reminds them as well of the beauty of humility, bringing John’s message back to its full circle. The Book of Hebrews says that the world is not worthy of those who willingly sacrifice and suffer, and then die without seeing the promise (Heb. 11:37-40).   – Beloved Servant

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Simplicity and Poverty

John the Baptist: Focused on Faith

Meditation: Seeking the Truth

Movement: Apply

Examine yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the life of John the Baptist and apply them to your own life history and situations.

Recall a time in your life when you experienced a “dark night of the soul”. How did you overcome it?

What doubts plague you the most in your life?

If you could ask Jesus any question, what would it be?

How can simplifying your life and budget help you through the tough times?

REFLECTION EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE: Commitment to Spiritual Direction

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Ponder

Read the following excerpt from Invitation & Commitments.

5.2.1 Spiritual Direction is at the center of the experience of a member in The Order of Sustainable Faith. For every other commitment we are making – be it to align ourselves to this rule of life, or to align ourselves toward something to which the Spirit is leading – spiritual direction will provide a context for conversation and discernment.

5.2.2 In Spiritual Direction we are being intentional about our conversation with God. We are looking for themes in our prayer, and listening for God’s voice in our life with another person alongside us.

5.2.3 Our commitment to Spiritual Direction is meant to nurture the conversations we are having with God and our own perception of self – as we really are, not as we wish to be.

Re-read the excerpt and write any personal notes below about what this commitment area entails.

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REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Respond

Reflect on the implications of each commitment to your life by engaging in the questions provided in the book Invitations & Commitments.

What is the movement of God in my life?

What is happening in and around me that makes me hopeful?

What activities in my life are nurturing intimacy with God and a desire to follow Jesus, wherever He may lead?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Recognize

Recognize God’s work in your life and listen as He speaks to your heart by responding to the following questions.

What is God Already Doing?

Write down bullet points or notes of ways God is already working in your life to fulfil the above commitment area of Spiritual Direction?

What is God Already Saying?

Write down bullet points or notes of things God has already been speaking to you about in terms of your interaction with your spiritual director over the last several months to a year? What has he been leading you into through that relationship that you have not been able to realize fully as of yet?

Where is God Going?

Read the section from Invitations & Commitments over a few times. As you read, note what areas God is pointing His finger on as an area of opportunity? What would you like Him to do in your life in this area? Do you feel convicted about falling short in any of the areas mentioned? Write those down.

Pray over the above areas. Ask God to show you how you can incorporate these practices into your spiritual direction sessions. Wait on the Lord for a few minutes to listen to what He wants to say to you about this. Write down any insights or next steps you hear from the Lord.

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Pray

Read over the last three pages slowly, allowing the state of your soul to reflect back to you as in a mirror. Quiet your spirit before the Lord and open yourself to sense His presence.

Write down 2-5 categories or themes that encompass your current and desired state for Spiritual Direction.

Using the above themes as a guide, write a reflective prayer to God asking for his help, guidance and forgiveness for these areas. This prayer should be applicable to varying practices and situations so it can be used over and over throughout time as you develop. The prayer should not be a checklist, but your heart’s cry to the Lover of your Soul to invite Him into this area of your life and spiritual practice.

Sample of a reflective prayer: Comforter and Guide of My Heart, the steps of a new journey lie under my feet. I don’t remember ever being truly discipled before, so spiritual direction is an exciting new adventure. I have a long spiritual history and I know my director will need to be aware of some of it. Guide me on what to share and what to hold back until later. More than anything, Lord, help me to listen well. My spiritual director will have great influence over my life. Open my ears to hear Your voice through her. Expand my horizons to new ideas and experiences. Let me seek and find new aspects of Your character that I haven’t discovered before. Reveal insights to my director that I may grow ever more into Your image.-Your Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Reflect

Meditate on the following scripture passages where King David and the Prophet Nathan demonstrated the commitment area of Spiritual Direction in real life scenarios.

Nathan: Spiritual Director to the Man after God’s Own Heart

King David is described in Scripture as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). His intimacy with God was all-encompassing as is clearly shown in the Psalms he wrote. Yet, despite David’s deep connection to God, he did not navigate the waters of his spiritual life alone. The Prophet Nathan provided David with a listening ear, a guiding hand, and even a voice for justice when necessary. In the following reflective meditation exercises, we will see an example of how spiritual direction works and why even those among us who most desire to hear and obey God’s voice can benefit from it.

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Read II Samuel 7:1-29

1 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” 3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” 17 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human! 20 What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. 22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. 25 And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight. 27 Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Digest

Sit in silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the passage.

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Open your heart to consider how the scripture passages personify the commitment area of Spiritual Direction.

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part One: A Confidante

Read II Samuel 7:1-3

1 After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” 3 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.”

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: King David had a desire to build a glorious temple for the Ark of the Covenant and wherein God’s presence would dwell. It was David’s wish to honor God for His goodness and His deliverance from all his enemies. The prophet Nathan discerned that David’s motive was pure, which was why he told him to proceed with his plans when David consulted him on the matter. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Examine yourself in light of the principles demonstrated in the lives of David and Nathan and apply them to your own life history and situations.

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part One: A Confidante

Have you ever wanted to do something for God but wish you could have talked about it with a strong man or woman of God before acting on your thoughts? If so, what was it you wanted to do? Did you do it or not? Why or why not?

What is the foremost desire in your heart right now of something you feel God is stirring in your heart to do for him?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Two: A Person Who Hears God

Read II Samuel 7:4-17

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” 17 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: Nathan had already given David his counsel about building the temple, but that night the Lord spoke to Nathan a different message and Nathan returned to David to tell him that his first counsel was premature and that’s God’s message was opposite. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Two: A Person Who Hears God

If a person asks you for advice, how do you know if what you say to them is from your own thoughts or from God?

Have you ever had an instance where the counsel of others conflicted with each other or with what you felt God was telling you to do? How did you reconcile this?

Do you trust your spiritual director to give you good counsel? Why or why not?

What evidence have you seen of God speaking into your life through your spiritual director?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Three: Vision for the Future

Read II Samuel 7:14-17

4 But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying: 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth. 10 And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 11 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” 17 Nathan reported to David all the words of this entire revelation.

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: Nathan carried God’s message to David of a clear vision for the future. Although David receives a negative response concerning his wish to build a temple for God, the Lord does not leave David in despair. He gives David a glimpse of the hopeful way forward. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement 7: Apply

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Three: Vision for the Future

How clearly do you envision your future life with Christ? Describe where you think your life is heading?

What would it take to veer you from the path you just described above?

If God wants to steer you in a new direction, in what ways would you need Him to speak before you would feel sure it was His will?

What role can your spiritual director play in the above process?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement 6: Consider

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Four: Peace and Praise

Read II Samuel 7:18-29

18 Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And as if this were not enough in your sight, Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant—and this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human! 20 What more can David say to you? For you know your servant, Sovereign Lord. 21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. 22 How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 23 And who is like your people Israel—the one nation on earth that God went out to redeem as a people for himself, and to make a name for himself, and to perform great and awesome wonders by driving out nations and their gods from before your people, whom you redeemed from Egypt? 24 You have established your people Israel as your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. 25 And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, 26 so that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!’ And the house of your servant David will be established in your sight. 27 Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: After David heard the word of the Lord from Nathan, he went into the tabernacle and sat before God to respond to Him directly. Nathan’s job is over at this point. He is no longer needed, because David has his answer and his heart is at peace and full of praise. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Meditation #1: Discernment and guidance about our heart’s desire and God’s will

Part Four: Peace and Praise

While godly counsel is essential in the Christian life, it cannot replace the intimate communion between Christ and His Bride. How would you describe your personal intimacy with Christ?

Spiritual direction is a wonderfully helpful experience, but the director can’t do all the work for you. What are you willing to do to grow deeper in your intimacy with Christ?

What are you willing to give up to make space for the Holy Spirit to do His work of peace and praise in your heart?

David’s prayer seems to gush out from the page as we read it. His heart is overflowing. Write out your own fully expressive prayer to God sharing where you are and where you want to be. Let Him see your heart open and hear your dreams.

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Reflect

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Read II Samuel 11:1-12:25

1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. 10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. 14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

16 So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17 When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. 18 Joab sent David a full account of the battle. 19 He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, 20 the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’” 22 The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. 23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. 24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.” 25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.” 26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” 15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth[d] on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; 25 and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

Digest

Sit in silence for a few minutes and let your heart and thoughts linger on the passage.

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part One: Temptation and Sin

Read II Samuel 11:1-25

1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. 10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 12 Then David said to him, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. 13 At David’s invitation, he ate and drank with him, and David made him drunk. But in the evening Uriah went out to sleep on his mat among his master’s servants; he did not go home. 14 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.”

16 So while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. 17 When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died. 18 Joab sent David a full account of the battle. 19 He instructed the messenger: “When you have finished giving the king this account of the battle, 20 the king’s anger may flare up, and he may ask you, ‘Why did you get so close to the city to fight? Didn’t you know they would shoot arrows from the wall? 21 Who killed Abimelek son of Jerub-Besheth? Didn’t a woman drop an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died in Thebez? Why did you get so close to the wall?’ If he asks you this, then say to him, ‘Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.’” 22 The messenger set out, and when he arrived he told David everything Joab had sent him to say. 23 The messenger said to David, “The men overpowered us and came out against us in the open, but we drove them back to the entrance of the city gate. 24 Then the archers shot arrows at your servants from the wall, and some of the king’s men died. Moreover, your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead.” 25 David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the attack against the city and destroy it.’ Say this to encourage Joab.” 26 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: As David experienced, temptation comes most often when we are at our most vulnerable – when we can’t sleep, are bored or don’t feel well. Our enemy knows what buttons to push and which temptations will be most enticing. Temptation gives birth to sin when we give up fighting it, when we linger on the thought of it, and when we act on those thoughts. God is not absent when we are tempted – He is there watching, waiting for us to cry out to Him. Sin turns us away from looking for God and fixes our eyes on ourselves and others. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part One: Temptation and Sin

What sin areas are the most enticing to you?

When does temptation most often trouble you?

Do you feel safe sharing your temptations with your spiritual director? Why or why not?

When you have given in to temptation, do you feel convicted in your spirit? How does the Lord convey that conviction to you?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part Two: Approach and Perspective

Read II Samuel 12:1-12

1 The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.

10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

Write your own meditative notes about the passage below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: David was a just king, a righteous man who had performed an unjust and unrighteous act. Nathan approached David in a way that would appeal to his love for justice and stir up memories of his past when all he had was his herd and harp. It is a frightening experience to see ourselves in the mirror of reality rather than the realm of fantasy with which we’ve been blinded. Nathan’s approach to the subject of David’s sin was gentle and emotional, appealing to his shepherd’s heart. He brought the perspective of truth, showing David his betrayal of God who had shown him nothing but faithfulness. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part Two: Approach and Perspective

How do your troublesome sins offend your most important life values?

How does thinking about your past and God’s faithfulness help you overcome sin?

Has your spiritual director asked you about sin in your life? If so, how did they approach the subject?

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Consider

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part Three: Repentance, Forgiveness, Consequences and Restoration

Read II Samuel 12:9-25

9 Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14 But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.” 15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth[d] on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; 25 and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

Read Psalm 51

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Write your own meditative notes about the passages below.

Sample of a reflective meditation: When faced with the hard reality of his sin, David repented fully and wholeheartedly. As we read in the Psalm David wrote when Nathan spoke with him, we see him admitting his guilt and his appeal to God for forgiveness. Nathan told David that God had taken away his sin, but that the consequences of his sin would affect his family and his reign. A transgression done in secret would have a ripple effect that would tear David’s family and his kingdom apart in a very public way. Later, Bathsheba, the wife David had stolen from Uriah, would bear another son, Solomon. The Lord loved Solomon and he eventually succeeded his father as king and fulfilled David’s dream of building a great temple to honor God (I Kings 6). From great sin and sorrow God brought forth restoration and hope. – Beloved Servant

REFLECTIVE EXERCISES ON THE RULE OF LIFE

Commitment to Spiritual Direction

Movement: Apply

Meditation #2: Accountability and Gentle Admonition

Part Three: Repentance, Forgiveness, Consequences and Restoration

How do you express repentance to God when you’ve sinned? What have you found helpful to keep from giving in to sin again?

What does forgiveness feel like to you? Can you describe it?

What kinds of consequences from past sins are you experiencing? How can your spiritual director help you face them?

How have you seen God turn evil in your life into something that is good? In what ways has He restored to you what was lost through sin?