Journaling Meditation: Encountering Christ

Grab a pen, pencil, or crayon for this meditation. We'll check in with ourselves and share that with God as we seek to encounter Christ today. For more on the Encountering Christ theme, see page 90 of With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson. 

Transcript

Community Support Invitation

Setting The Sacred Space

Road To Emmaus Reading

Opening Prayer For Awareness

Self Check-In Prompts

Imagining Christ With You

Name And Journal Emotions

Converse With Jesus On Paper

Notice Emotions In The Body

Practice Presence And Honesty

Closing Prayer And Resources

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hi, I'm Whitney, and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. Today's practice is a bit different than one we've done on the podcast before. I'm going to invite you to gather some journaling supplies. This could be a pencil and a piece of scratch paper. It could be your beloved journal and pins. It could be crayons and the back of a napkin. As you gather your supplies, I'll remind you that it's because of you that exploring peace is possible and reaches ears all over the world. You make this community possible, and you can help support the podcast with a simple way. You can buy me a cup of coffee or really tea. If you'd like to find out more about this new way to keep the podcast coming to your ears, check out exploringpeace.com slash community. So by now, hopefully you've found your supplies and settled into a quiet place to encounter Christ with me today. Luke chapter 24, verses 13 through 16 tells of the road to Emmaus. Listen to these words. That same day, two of the disciples were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was. Creator God, help us notice you today, to not miss you. Sometimes we can feel confused and overwhelmed, scattered, discouraged. And it's hard to notice that you're right beside us. So today, as we listen, help us notice you, see you, recognize you in all that we're feeling and all that we're noticing. So I'm going to invite you to take a moment and check in with yourself. How are you feeling today, in this moment? What brought you here to push play? Is this a habit? Is it a tool you come to when you're feeling overwhelmed or anxious? Or is there some other way you found yourself here today? What are you feeling inside your mind and your heart today, right now? And then take a moment and imagine that wherever you are, Christ is with you. You may imagine him in human form as Jesus walking alongside you as he did that day on the road with the disciples. He may be sitting with you in your quiet space, riding with you in your car, laying beside you in your bed. Welcome Jesus into this space. And then take a moment to notice the emotions that are present within you today. I'd encourage you to let these emotions spill out onto your paper, your journal. You may notice sadness, happiness, gratitude, grief. You may notice anger, joy, compassion, worry. In the next few moments of quiet, take a moment and journal with Christ all that is upon your heart and mind, all the emotions that you're feeling that may or may not be very obvious to you, but that you know are there. Some may be buried or hidden, some may be hiding away. Some of these you may simply wish to ignore. But in the next few moments of quiet, offer all your emotions on this piece of paper as you sit with God. To see if Jesus is surprised that all of these feelings are within you. Ask him if there are any you should take notice of or pay special attention to or be curious about. This might be something you wish to journal. It's as if you're having a conversation with Jesus right here in this time of prayer. Are any of these emotions expressing themselves in your body? Like happiness looks like a smile. Or sometimes anger looks like a fist. Sometimes worry looks like pain or tension or tightness. Be curious, be curious with the words that have appeared before you, the emotions that are within you, and ask God how might these be connected to what I'm feeling or sensing in my physical being. Try not to change what you're noticing. Instead, be honest with God and with yourself and allow your Creator to be near to you today in all that you're sensing. Say to yourself, Jesus, be with me as I claim my many emotions. Jesus, be with me as I claim my many emotions. Spend as much time as you wish journaling with God, being curious about what you're feeling, sensing, and noticing within yourself. Be a disciple that pays attention and welcomes Jesus every step of the way. Holy and loving God, thank you for the wisdom you offer us through our very bodies. Help me see and recognize you today in my life and in my feelings. I want to encounter you in all I face and never miss your presence. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Thank you for exploring the gift of God's peace with me. You can find more on this meditation, Encountering Christ, on page ninety of with God in every breath. My books are found at Whitney R. Simpson.com, and you can find more about the podcast at exploringpeace.com. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.