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LECTIO DIVINA: ‘N BYBELSE MEDITASIEPRAKTYK

LECTIO DIVINA: ‘N BYBELSE MEDITASIEPRAKTYK

Ek het onlangs ‘n Christelike geestesgesondheidskonferensie bygewoon waarin een van die sprekers, Gary Oliver, ThM, PhD, die groep gelei het in ‘n vorm van Christelike meditasie genaamd Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina word letterlik vertaal as “goddelike lees” en is ‘n antieke Christelike praktyk wat al die pad terug gaan na Origen van Alexandrië in die derde eeu. Die bedoeling van die praktyk is om die Christen te help om die Skrif meer as blote feite of hoofkennis verder te internaliseer na ‘n diep ervaring, hartswaardering en praktiese lewe uit die dinge van God. Hierdie styl van meditasie is ontwerp om die gelowige in Christus te help om betrokke te raak by doelgerigte praktyke wat met God saamwerk vir die genesing van hul hele wese – gees, siel en liggaam.

By die konferensie het Dr. Oliver vir elke deelnemer ‘n uitdeelstuk gegee wat ‘n kort geskiedenis van Lectio Divina, ‘n paar instruksies en ‘n afskrif van Psalm 1:1-3 uit vier verskillende vertalings: King James, New Living Translation, The Message en The Remedy of the Lord in Song: The Psalms.

Ek het nie geweet dat Dr. Oliver gaan praat of dat hy die hele groep gaan lei in ‘n deurdagte, uurlange besinning van een van die psalms nie, veral nie een wat The Remedy geparafraseer het nie. Maar dit het net so gebeur dat Come and Reason Ministries gratis kopieë van The Remedy of the Lord in Song: The Psalms vir die deelnemers aangebied het, en baie deelnemers, wat van regoor die land gekom het, het een geneem. Baie het my persoonlik bedank vir die parafrase en my vertel hoeveel hulle geseën is deur die gebruik van The Remedy weergawe.

In die nadraai van daardie vergadering het ek besluit om Lectio Divina meer na te vors en dan hierdie metode van Christelike meditasie met jou te deel.

Lectio Divina het vier verskillende aksies of stappe:

  • Bybellees
  • Meditasie oor die gedeelte gelees, wat beteken om na te dink oor die betekenis daarvan
  • Gebed (gesprek met God) oor die gedeelte
  • Bepeins of ervaar die toepassing daarvan op die innerlike werking van ‘n mens se hart, houdings, motiewe en emosies – dit wil sê om in die Heilige Gees te bly en Hom te ervaar en die waarheid op die hart toe te pas.

‘n Paar belangrike punte oor Lectio Divina: Eerstens begin hierdie vorm van meditasie altyd met die geïnspireerde Woord van God. As ‘n mens die Skrif met ander geskrifte vervang, sal die meditasie dien om daardie geskrifte se idees in ‘n mens se wese te versterk eerder as God se Woord.

‘n Tweede punt is dat hierdie vorm van meditasie diep denke, nadenke, aktiewe denke en gemeenskap/gebed met God vereis. Dit is nie ‘n leegmaak van die gees nie, en dit is ook nie ‘n herhalende mantra nie. Die doel is om ons beperkte bewustheid, beide kognitief en ervaringsgewys, van ons kennis van God uit te brei, sodat ons God self kan ken net soos Jesus gebid het dat ons sou (Joh 17:3).

Soos ons met God omgaan, aktief met Hom verenig en sy metodes op ons lewens toepas, ervaar ons genesing, reiniging, ontspanning, vernuwing, herskepping, wat ook bekend staan as heiligmaking:

“Mag die God van vrede julle volkome aan Hom toewy. Ja, mag God julle so bewaar dat julle na gees, siel en liggaam volkome vlekkeloos sal wees wanneer ons Here Jesus Christus terugkom” (1 Thessalonicense 5:23 NLV11, beklemtoning myne).

God wil ons heilig, genees, heilig maak in gees, siel en liggaam.

Lectio Divina-meditasie betrek alle aspekte van ons wese. Ons betrek ons liggaam wanneer ons ontkoppel van die daaglikse aktiwiteite van die lewe, die digitale toestelle neersit en stil by God sit, dikwels in die natuur – die geur van die blomme inasem, die liedjies van die voëls hoor, die pragtige reënboog waardeer, die warmte van die sonskyn voel, deur die sagte briesie gestreel word. Ons ondervinding in die natuurlike wêreld wat God geskep het, stimuleer ons sintuie en draai ons gedagtes in ontsag en waardering na ons Skepper.

In so ‘n toestand van eerbied vestig ons ons aandag op die geskrewe woord, fokus op ‘n spesifieke gedeelte van die Skrif, en in daardie plek van natuurlike stilte mediteer ons diep oor die boodskap van God. Ons reik uit na God met ons hart, besin oor die betekenis en vra Hom vir groter insig, begrip en wysheid. Ons loof God vir sy voorsienigheid, teenwoordigheid, getrouheid en goedheid en vir die verbinding van die waarhede in die Skrif in ons gedagtes en vir die toepassing daarvan op ons lewe op daardie oomblik.

En dan stort ons ons toegeneentheid, liefde, waardering en aanbidding na God uit en nooi sy Gees uit om ons houdings, gevoelens en verlange skoon te maak en te reinig om al hoe meer verenig te wees met Syne sodat ons die vreugde, liefde en teenwoordigheid van God in ons diepste wese ervaar.

Ek het nog nie die term Lectio Divina gehoor voordat Dr. Oliver my daaraan voorgestel het nie. Maar terwyl ek bestudeer het wat hierdie metode van meditasie funksioneel doen, het ek besef dat die stappe daarvan die praktyke is wat ek gedurende my Christelike reis gedoen het, omdat ek ander Christelike skrywers gelees het wat hierdie einste dinge beskryf het sonder om daardie Latynse term te gebruik.

Die interessantste is dat ek gevind het dat een van die stigters van die Sewendedag Adventistekerk dieselfde praktyke voorgestaan het, ook sonder om ooit die term Lectio Divina te gebruik. Kyk na die volgende historiese aanhalings, met inagneming van die vier komponente van Lectio Divina: Bybellees, meditasie, gebed en bepeinsing.

Om bloot die woord te hoor of te lees, is nie genoeg nie. Hy wat begeer om voordeel te trek uit die Skrif, moet peins oor die waarheid wat aan hom voorgehou is. Deur ernstige aandag en biddende denke moet hy die betekenis van die woorde van waarheid leer en diep drink van die gees [bepeinsing] van die heilige kennisbron (Christ’s Object Lessons, 59, beklemtoning myne).

Dit sou vir ons heilsaam wees om elke dag ‘n uur aan die bepeinsing van die lewe van Christus te bestee. Ons moet dit punt vir punt neem en die verbeelding toelaat om elke toneel te begryp, veral die slottonele. As ons so oor sy groot opoffering vir ons peins, sal ons ‘n standvastiger vertroue in Hom kry, sal ons liefde opgewek word en sal ons in ‘n voller mate deur sy gees vervul word. As ons eindelik gered wil word, moet ons die les van boetvaardigheid en ootmoed aan die voet van die kruis leer (Die Koning van die eeue, bl 83, beklemtoning myne).

Ons lewe in die ernstigste tyd van die wêreld se geskiedenis. Die ewige lot van die aarde se miljoene sal eerlank beslis wees. Ons eie toekomstige welsyn, asook die saligheid van ander siele, hang af van die weg wat ons tans bewandel. Ons moet deur die Gees van waarheid gelei word. Elke navolger van Christus behoort ernstig te vra, “Here, wat wil U hê, moet ek doen?” Ons behoort ons te verootmoedig voor die Here, met vas en gebed, en baie oor sy woord te peins, veral die tonele van die oordeel. Ons behoort nou te soek om ons geestelike lewe te verdiep in die dinge van God – (Die Groot Stryd 678.2, beklemtoning myne).

“God verbied dat ek my sal roem, behalwe in die kruis van onse Here Jesus Christus, deur wie die wêreld vir my gekruisig is en ek vir die wêreld.” As Christus ons persoonlike Verlosser is, sal ons mediteer oor sy goedheid en barmhartigheid en liefde. Sy teenwoordigheid sal by die gelowige, biddende siel wees. As die gelowige ‘n intelligente kennis het van wat gebed beteken, sal hy nie net seisoene van gebed hê nie, en nadat hy in hierdie tye gebid het, dink dat sy plig gedoen is, maar hy sal deur ervaring verstaan wat die Skrif beteken wanneer dit sê: “Henog het met God gewandel.” Hy sal voortdurend sy gedagtes na God verhef hou, en gemeenskap met God sal meer en meer begeerte na God gee, en die verstand sal vergroot word deur die karakter van God te bepeins. So sal hy gevoed word deur die vlees en bloed van die Seun van God, wat verklaar dat hy die brood van die lewe is wat uit die hemel neergedaal het (Sabbatskoolwerker, 1 April 1895, par. 1, beklemtoning myne).

Ongeag wat jy dit noem, ek moedig jou aan om daagliks tyd te neem om afgesonder van hierdie besige wêreld te wees om tyd saam met God deur te bring, om sy Woord te lees, diep te mediteer oor die betekenis daarvan, met God daaroor te praat en die Heilige Gees in jou hart in te nooi om die waarhede tuis te bring na jou diepste ervaring.

 

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Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

Rachael H.

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 55

I was born [into the church], then I left it for many years. 10 years ago, I came back, but I could not take the hypocrisy and the lack of answers to the missing pieces. I struggled, but I did not abandon my commitment to know the truth. God is leading me to the simple understanding of his relevance and I am relearning what the church taught me as a youth… that he loves me, that he has led me to a knowledge of him such as I have never known. He is using Dr. Jennings to connect the dots that are now so apparent and hiding in plain sight!

Dean P., Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand