Step 14: Meditatio - Lectio Divina

I love movie theater popcorn, especially when it gets drenched in that weird viscous substance they refer to as “butter”. At least I thought I loved popcorn – looking back it seems I just always ordered it because that’s what you are supposed to do when you go to the movie theater. It is automatic. You walk into the theater and get in line to take out a loan in order to buy your popcorn. When I made it to my seat, I would grab a big handful and indelicately shove it in my mouth, rotating my hand ever so deftly to make sure all of the pieces of popcorn made it into my mouth at once. Handful after handful, only to be interrupted by some form of chocolate snack or overly sweet soda.

Well, that’s what I would do until I got married. Apparently, you aren’t supposed to eat popcorn that way. You are supposed to savor it. One kernel at a time. You are supposed to notice the balance of butter and salt, how the moisture from the “butter” impacts the firm, crisp exterior of the popped kernel. Handfuls may fill you up, but they make it hard to fully appreciate each bite. Cory taught me to move beyond consuming popcorn to enjoying popcorn. I’m still learning.

Sometimes we approach Scripture the same way. We love it, or at least we have been conditioned to say that we love it; at the very least, we know we should. So we consume. We grab big handfuls of Bible and shove it into our mouths and we feel like we have accomplished something to be proud of. Perhaps we need to learn to savor Scripture. Take it one bite at a time. Approach it less like we are trying to fill up and more like we are having a transcendent experience. Maybe we should take the time to notice the word choices that are made by the author, take note of the balance in using Old Testament references to bring out the flavor of a new way of understanding something. Make reading Scripture less about us meeting a need and more about encountering God in the beauty of His Word. Maybe instead of consuming the Scriptures we should let it consume us. We are meant to be living sacrifices after all.



Your Turn:

This week, you are invited to try the ancient spiritual practice of Lectio Divina. The traditional steps in Lectio Divina are:

  1. Lectio (Read)

  2. Meditatio (Reflect)

  3. Oratio (Respond)

  4. Contemplatio (Rest)

  • Read: Take a small portion of Scripture that you are somewhat familiar with (Psalm 23, the Lord’s Prayer, the Beatitudes, etc.) and read through it.

  • Reflect: Go back and read through it a 2nd time, but much slower. Keep repeating this step until you feel like you are present to the Scripture and not distracted. You should feel connected to it as you read. Take note of what is standing out to you; it can be a phrase or even a single word.

  • Respond: Read it a third time, but this time pray through it. Try to personalize it and engage with God through it.

e.g. The Lord is my shepherd, my God cares for me and leads me.

I shall not want, and Lord, please forgive me when I forget that you are all I need.

e.g. your kingdom come, because we want You to be in charge

your will be done, because You know what is best.

on earth as it is in heaven. Right here, right now.

  • Rest: Now be still. You have prayed the Scripture in communion with God. Give Him a chance to respond. Don’t try to force anything, just be still and let Him be God.