Meditations for Spiritual Direction

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? Luke 13:18

The bar was set high for me early in my Christian walk when I first read A. W. Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God. In his honest writings I discovered someone who spoke not only from a knowledge of God but from a first-hand experience of that living relationship. I have been looking ever since for similar books written by men and women who know the Lord in such a first-hand way. Such writings are rare, and worth sharing with each other when we do come across them.

In wanting to do just that, I have reprinted once such gem below. It is a poem by George Herbert (1593-1633). You will recognize in these verses a man who has spent much time in prayer, and who knows well its depth and breadth. The poem is a litany of metaphors, each describing some aspect of this mysterious realm we call prayer. You will surely find many of these metaphors resonating with your own experience of prayer, as well as others for you to explore the meaning of in your future encounters with God.

Read the poem slowly and often in the coming week. Let Herbert’s rich imagery find its way into your own experience of prayer. He is a dear brother who shares the same awe and delight we do regarding this calling.

Prayer, the Church’s banquet, Angel’s age, God’s breath in man returning to his birth The soul in paraphrase, heart in pilgrimage

The Christian plummet sounding heaven and earth;
Engine against the Almighty,* sinner’s tower, Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear,

The six-days world transposing in an hour, A kind of tune, which all things
Hear and fear;

Softness, and peace, and joy,
and love, and bliss,
Exalted manna, gladness of the best, Heaven in ordinary, man well dressed,

Imago Dei Christian Community www.imagodeicommunity.ca To receive these weekly meditations by e-mail contact imago@shaw.ca.

.

The Milky Way, the bird of paradise, Church-bells beyond the stars heard, The soul’s blood,
The land of spices; something understood.

-George Herbert. The Temple
* Herbert’ s use of the word “against” is not so much in the sense of being opposed to

something, but more of leaning “against” something (e.g.“he leaned against a fence”).

Rob Des Cotes
Imago Dei Christian Communities

FOR GROUP DISCUSSION:

1. Which of these metaphors resonate with your own experience of prayer? Take a moment to underline these and share with others in your group.
2. Of the ones you have no experience of, which ones seem most attractive, confusing or intriguing to you? Circle these and share with the group.
3. What other metaphors would you use to describe your own experience of prayer? How would you poetically speak of the effect this practice has had on your life?

FOR PRAYER: Choose one of Herbert’s metaphors to meditate on each day this week. As you pray, consider this particular aspect of your prayer relationship, and how it has deepened over the years.

Imago Dei Christian Community www.imagodeicommunity.ca To receive these weekly meditations by e-mail contact imago@shaw.ca.