Dear People of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,
When I meet with a group of people in the NWIM Synod—whether it is a group of deacons and pastors, a council, call committee, or any other group—more often than not I start that meeting with a spiritual practice called “Dwelling in the Word.” This exercise, which includes prayer, hearing a scripture passage read twice, sharing curiosities and where attentions lie, and wondering together what God might be up to has a way grounding whatever conversation comes next in God’s tender mercy.
What’s interesting is that I have used this practice with numerous different scripture passages...and the particular passage doesn’t seem to greatly effect the value of the practice one way or another. Upon reflection I have come to think the benefit of Dwelling in the Word is due to four key aspects:
First and foremost, Dwelling “works” because I trust God is at work in the world and in our lives. In short, this practice is efficacious only in and through God’s action.
Dwelling in the Word is bookended with prayer. One of my seminary professors once said something to the effect that of course God is working in the world with or without our prayer, but one way to look at prayer is that it opens up the door a bit wider so that God has more room to work. Ever since, I’ve appreciated that image of prayer. So Dwelling is efficacious because God is at work, and that prayer opens the door even a bit wider.
Listening. You’ll note that the practice of listening is a central piece to Dwelling in the Word. There is listening to scripture. There is listening to one another. And there is the wondering together—the listening together—about what God might be saying.
God’s Word. This practice invites us to sit with a passage from the Bible, the Word of God. I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11
10For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
God’s Word is going to do what its going to do…and we do well when we dwell on any part of that Word of God.
The step-by-step process that I more or less follow is attached to this article. I commend this practice to you as we all seek to discern where God’s Spirit is leading us in these days. OPEN HERE
Blessed Summer,
Pastor Phil Misner