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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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I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

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Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

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I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

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I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, 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.

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God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia