Last night, during our contemplative worship service, we meditated on the scripture for this coming Sunday using Martin Luther's Four Strand Garland. I invite you to use for reflection and preparation for Sunday. We continue to meet online for worship on Wednesday nights at 8 pm. If you are interested in joining, please email pastorlecia@risenlordlc.org.
Begin by finding a comfortable place to read and meditate. This method has four movements so I find it helpful to have a meditation timer to give me five minutes or so for each movement. That helps me to take time pondering each question without moving on too quickly, but you can do it without a set time if that is more comfortable.
Take a moment to slow down, to relax and open yourself to God's presence and God's wisdom as you begin. Begin by reading the passage. Then, ponder each question in relationship to the passage. As you meditate, try to focus less on finding a correct answer and more on receiving the answers the Spirit stirs up within you.
1. Instruction: What is God teaching me in this Scripture? What is the meaning for me?
2. Thanksgiving: How does this passage make me grateful? What gives me a feeling of thanksgiving?
3. Confession: How does this passage intersect with my suffering or touch my brokenness? What causes me to confess?
4. Guidance: What is the prayer here? What guidance do I feel like I need from God?
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory.’
The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’
Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’ Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’
Feel free to share your musings, questions and insights with a friend or with pastorlecia@risenlordlc.org!