While Mary gives us the model to strive for as we LOVE the Word™, Jonah is likely a more realistic example for us to study as we are practicing, because when Jonah hears the word of God, he does the exact opposite! How does God work when we are not obedient to what we’ve heard, whether it’s because we are inexperienced, timid, suspicious, or flat-out rebellious?
Study Audio
LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice. This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is based on a Ignatian* personality approach. Go on! Try it!
Listen (Receive the Word)
“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would go onward; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not go onward till the day that it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel” (Ex 40:34-38).
Observe (Connect the passage to recent events.)
Imagine the celebration as the tabernacle you helped construct with your own offerings is finally finished. Are there tambourines? Dancing? Are the children frolicking, as wild with excitement as their parents? What did you offer? Gold, linen, balsams for the anointing oil or incense, your services as craftsman, embroiderer, or goldsmith? Are the people all gathered around, or are you gazing at the incredible sight from the flap of your own tent?
Does the sky grow dark when the unworldly cloud descends and engulfs the tabernacle? Is the air charged with shock or fear or thrill? What does it sound like as it falls, or maybe it simply appears? Are you afraid? Excited? Awed? Are you surprised as darkness approaches that the cloud changes to fire? That you can see it no matter where you are in the whole camp, even from the back side of Sinai?
Does the presence of that cloud comfort you when you look at it in the days to come, knowing He’s there somehow, leading you through this barren desert, day and night, every second?
Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions).
What an incredible, glorious thought: that You are with me, Lord, leading me and guiding me every moment, and that You are building a sanctuary in me with my very own offerings. I want to offer everything! But I confess a tremor of fear when I think of your presence in the tabernacle of my body, because I have not made it as hospitable as it could be for You, and my offerings have not been generous. I need to know that You love me unconditionally, even though the tabernacle of my body and heart is not always pure enough to welcome You. What can I offer You, today, as a welcome present?
Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Perhaps you’d like to wonder at and cherish, now, your Promise of His unfailing presence with You.
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*LOVE the Word™ exercises vary weekly according to the four personalities, or “prayer forms,” explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Episode Resources
This week’s LOVE the Word™ exercise is from chapter six of my newest book with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers: Ignite, Read the Bible Like Never Before, available for pre-order with a 30% discount using code SPARK here.
Ignite will be out August 17. Get a preview of the introduction and first chapter here.
Read the Transcript
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