This time of year tends to bring a stir.
For some, it stirs up big talk — bold promises, supersized goals, and a re-energized renewal for those long-held hopes and dreams.
For others, it stirs up small talk — a deliberate pushback on resolution culture in order to embrace what is, rather than hustling to force what isn’t.
Both are appropriate responses, and both are necessary approaches in their own time and way.
But as we dive into a whole new soul work theme this month, instead of busting out of the gate with eagerness to declare, “I will,” or “I won’t”, may we invite you to join us as we explore “I wonder” instead?
Abraham Joshua Heschel, Jewish theologian, says:
“The roots of ultimate insights are found … on the level of wonder and radical amazement, in the depth of awe, in our sensitivity to the mystery.” [1]
I wonder what The Holy might be inviting me into this year?
As you spend time exploring the prompts in today’s intermission, prayerfully consider the following:
Instead of boldly declaring “big talk” or defiantly adopting “small talk” as your toast to the new year, talk wonder, and invite awe, mystery and radical amazement to be your stirrings.
-With Joy
A Pause to Practice
Visio Divina is an ancient way of Christian prayer in which space is created to listen and pay attention to the Holy at work by entering into a sacred image. This form of praxis is an invitation into the S.A.C.R.E.D. art of seeing, and the art below is this month’s featured offering for your time of reflection.
Stillness: Find a comfortable place of quiet. Take a few deep breaths. Invite God’s presence.
Acknowledge: Gaze gently over the entire image, allowing yourself to notice as many details as you can – shapes, colors, lighting, foreground, background, and symbols.
Center: Notice what captures your attention, what your eyes are drawn to, or where your thoughts linger. Notice what inspires you, and perhaps what you might also be avoiding.
Reflect: Meditate on any part of the image that has captured you. How might God be speaking to you through this? What might the message and meaning be? Is there an invitation in this for you?
Express: Find words or a prayer of your heart to articulate the thoughts, emotions, memories, or desires that have awakened. Give voice to the insights you’ve gained.
Dwell: Savor this sacred time. Rest in simple silence. Linger in the holiness of this space and place of practice.
Click here for a high-res / full-print version of this art.
The Story Behind the Art
The bush is the love of God burning within all of life. The man turns toward it, pulling down what blinds him from truly seeing: narratives, expectations, fear, etc. He glimpses the deeper beauty, and it captures him: wonder at the love of God. [2]
Inspired quote: “Earth’s crammed with heaven / And every common bush afire with God / But only he who sees takes off his shoes.” —Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Inspired quote: “By grace every human can become as this bush: engulfed by the fiery presence of God but unharmed, ‘fully involved’ by flames that sanctify her, body, and soul, burning away everything in her that is not of Love.” —Kenneth Tanner.
A Prompt to Ponder
“A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open toward the gifts and growth that are stored up for us.” What is the new horizon in you that wants to be seen? [3]
- [1] God in Search of Man by Abraham Joshua Heschel, via Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation, From the Center for Action and Contemplation, Willing to Be Amazed, December 2, 2023.
- [2] Wonder by Dustin Heigh, Instagram: @joint.and.marrow.
- [3] To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue, Beginnings, pp.1-2; 5.
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- Click here for previous month’s art offerings
