Here I am at a Starbucks sipping on a Cafe Mocha, (ah whipped cream, coffee, and chocolate is there anything better:) writing about spending time with Jesus in contemplation. I look around and see people coming and going getting on with their busy days trying to maintain a schedule. There is a group having coffee and one in the group takes a call and steps outside and misses personal interaction because he has an urgent call that must be taken. They bustle out and others bustle in.
I know you're thinking its easy for you to spend time with Jesus but I am just too busy. How will I make my month if I stop to smell the flowers and talk to Jesus. There is not enough time in the day and something has got to give. These are real questions, so how does one contemplate in today's busy world?
I am not going to presume that I have all the answers to this question but I can say that I have developed some thoughts about the how to. I throw these thoughts out for you to consider as you negotiate the busyness that is your lives.
First of all I think it is good to look at what contemplation means. The dictionary defines contemplation as:
–noun
1.the act of contemplating; thoughtful observation.
2.full or deep consideration; reflection: religious contemplation.
3.purpose or intention.
4.prospect or expectation
As we can see by this definition contemplation is not only cloistering yourself in some monastary and meditating on the depth and scope of scripture. The first part of the definition speaks about "thoughtful observation." In this context this would mean thoughtful observation of what Jesus is saying to us or doing in our lives. I believe that this can be done in the busyness of our days. This can be done while we are driving between appointments or having a quick lunch. It can be done while we are between appointments or when we are having a coffee break. There are many opportunities each day to thoughtfully observe what Jesus is doing and saying.
He says that He will never leave us or forsake us. This means that He is always with us. So when we take these times out in our days we can trust that He is right there. This is walking in faith and not by sight. We can choose to look to Jesus or to our problems. As we choose Him He will fill us with His life and His love. He will show you the next step. Take advantage of the time you have each day to look to Jesus. He will do much more than you could think or imagine.
Blessings,
Glenn
