Begin by listening to the guided contemplative prayer
and move into the scripture reading and exercises below.
Follow these guides as you read the passage several times:
1st time through: Slowly and prayerfully read the passage. Simply open yourself up to God and let the words of scripture sink in.
2nd time through: Prayerfully read through the passage looking for a word or phrase that feels highlighted to you by the Holy Spirit. If nothing is illuminated, simply choose a word or phrase you find meaningful. Meditate on that word or phrase, allowing some space before moving to the next step. Reflect on why that word or phrase may have been highlighted to you.
3rd time through: Prayerfully engage with what God might be trying to say or might be wanting to give to you in this time. How might God be inviting you to respond? What might God be inviting you into?
4th time through: Rest in the love that God has for you. Practice being and feeling God’s love towards you, Gods presence with you.
14 The people marched out from their tents to cross over the Jordan. The priests carrying the covenant chest were in front of the people. 15 When the priests who were carrying the chest came to the Jordan, their feet touched the edge of the water. The Jordan had overflowed its banks completely, the way it does during the entire harvest season. 16 But at that moment the water of the Jordan coming downstream stood still. It rose up as a single heap very far off, just below Adam, which is the city next to Zarethan. The water going down to the desert sea (that is, the Dead Sea) was cut off completely. The people crossed opposite Jericho. 17 So the priests carrying the Lord’s covenant chest stood firmly on dry land in the middle of the Jordan. Meanwhile, all Israel crossed over on dry land, until the entire nation finished crossing over the Jordan.
4:1 When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Pick twelve men from the people, one man per tribe. 3 Command them, ‘Pick up twelve stones from right here in the middle of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests had been firmly planted. Bring them across with you and put them down in the camp where you are staying tonight.’”
4 Joshua called for the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one man per tribe. 5 Joshua said to them, “Cross over into the middle of the Jordan, up to the Lord your God’s chest. Each of you, lift up a stone on his shoulder to match the number of the tribes of the Israelites. 6 This will be a symbol among you. In the future your children may ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you will tell them that the water of the Jordan was cut off before the Lord’s covenant chest. When it crossed over the Jordan, the water of the Jordan was cut off. These stones will be an enduring memorial for the Israelites.”
8 The Israelites did exactly what Joshua ordered. They lifted twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, matching the number of the tribes of the Israelites, exactly as the Lord had said to Joshua. They brought them over to the camp and put them down there. 9 Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan where the feet of the priests had stood while carrying the covenant chest. They are still there today.
Turn your attention now to the painting.
What do you notice about the painting? Glance over every part.
Prayerfully move your eyes around the art piece looking for a portion that is highlighted to you. If the Spirit does not illuminate a portion for you to meditate on, don’t worry, simply choose a piece you find interesting. Look deeply at the portion you have chosen and take in all the details you can. Reflect on why that portion of the art piece might have been highlighted to you.
Engage by asking God to draw connections for you. How is the portion of the art piece you have been meditating on connected to your present reality? How is it connected to the scripture you just read? What might God be inviting you into?
Finish this exercise by resting in the love that God has for you. You are beloved.
