Encounter: Grab your Bible and head outdoors, if you are able, and read from the Gospel of John chapter 6, verses 60 - 71. Consider what you see around you. Consider life that surrounds you and where it gets its power to live and thrive in the environment around you.
I have been hooked on the DC Comics series on Netflix “The Flash.” A forensic specialist, Barry Allen, for Central City is struck by lightening when a particle accelerator explodes and he gains speed beyond normal human effort. The Flash, Barry Allen, becomes a super hero saving the city from villains and super villains, until one day when the source of Barry’s speed, the speed force, dies and Barry begins to lose his speed.
However, Barry begins to uncover where the source of his true speed comes from when his wife, Iris, is unconscious and Barry receives a spark when we goes to grab her hand. Barry realizes that the love he has for Iris, his team, and the City is where this source of his speed comes from. Barry’s team build a device for Iris to send this powerful spark into the skies and create a new speed force. Now Barry’s speed is back to full strength and he is back to saving Central City.
In our reading this week from the Gospel of John, Jesus tells us that “The Spirit gives life;” how often do you go through your day feeling tired, out of energy, defeated, or perhaps depressed? I go through these periods in my life when I am trying to accomplish all things with my own strength and will.
All through the Books of Leviticus and Numbers we are learning all the laws and ways the Israelites were to live. While these laws guided them to learn right and wrong as a new nation, they were not able to save or give life. The words that Jesus speaks are “full of the Spirit and life.” The words of Jesus lifts off the weight of burden from the worry and corruption of the law, to show us the way of life.
John 14:26, Jesus tells us that the “Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” We just need to learn how to make space for the Spirit to come alongside and hear its gentle words that will give us life.
Reflect: Consider how the weight of todays living in a very busy life drags us down. We don’t have the energy to be fully present with those in need, because we have allowed the world to drain us of the gift of life. When we spend quiet time with the scriptures, praying the scriptures, fellowshipping with the Spirit, we can be recharged with a new energy that can bring glory to our God.
Spiritual Practice: Before you read or listen to your 730 challenge, take a couple of minutes to breathe. Allow your scattered senses to recenter to listen for the Spirit to guide you during the scripture reading. Reflect upon what the Spirit may be nudging you to do and follow its guidance.
Gather: As you gather in your small groups, share with one another how you felt before listening or reading the scripture from the 730 challenge when you made space for the Spirit to come alongside to share in Gods word together.
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