Making Time for Quiet Reflection and Worshipful Contemplation
Having an inner dialogue with God makes your faith stronger and your decisions more well-guided. Keep reading to know how to engage in quiet reflection and worshipful contemplation. Some practices include spending time with Jesus, praying with others, and examining your motivations.
What is Worshipful Contemplation?
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” – John 15:9
Contemplation originates from the Latin word contemplation, which is associated with purifying one’s heart to perceive God in a deepening manner. Therefore, worshipful contemplation means looking thoughtfully at something in a way that glorifies God. This can be done through reading the Scripture, meditating, and praying.
No matter what practice you’re using, the primary motivation of worshipful contemplation is love. It is our love for God, others, and the life given to us.
Ensure you are intentional when making time for quiet reflection since this is not spontaneous. It takes effort to look for answers from God.
Allot Enough Time for Jesus
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” – Acts 4:13
Be still. Live with an awareness that Jesus is waiting for you to communicate with Him. Surrender everything to Him because He has authority and wisdom.
Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life
Living like Jesus requires us to connect with the Holy Spirit. Invite the Fruit of the Spirit into your life for better guidance when making decisions and taking action. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what glorifies God the Father and God the Son. This will encourage you to be quieter and listen to His words.
Check if You Pray for Others
Quiet reflection isn’t only for oneself. Make sure you’re practicing this deed for the sake of others, too. In the Bible, James asks Christians to “pray for each other that you may be healed” – James 5:16.
Be like Jesus, who prayed for His disciples and others even amid His most significant suffering. He prayed from the heart sincerely and regularly. Do it in detail so you can reflect in a more heartfelt way.
Give All Glory to God
As the phrase suggests, it’s not only contemplation. It’s worshipful contemplation. So when we reflect and try to make the right decisions, we should put God at the center of it all. Give God credit every time He leads us to the right path.
God will never put you in a position where your life only worsens. Everything is either a blessing or a lesson. So make sure to put your heart out for God and God alone.
Forgive Yourself and Others
Quiet reflection and worshipful contemplation are only possible if you know peace and forgiveness in your life. Focus on being the best person you want to be instead of dwelling on past mistakes.
At the same time, let go of other people’s wrongdoings toward you. Remember to forgive the way God forgave you. Do not allow the devil to replay their offense every second.
Read the Bible
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The most explicit way God speaks to us is through the Bible. Search it for direct counsel from God. You can also join Bible study groups and communities to interpret the Scripture better.
Examine Your Motivations
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
Sometimes you think God is leading your decisions, but a deeper check on your motivations can make you feel otherwise.
For instance, when contemplating whether you will quit your job, you should ask: “Do I want to quit for better opportunities? Or do I want to quit because I want to spend more time at home?” Make sure all your decisions glorify God.