I’m a speed reader. I skim and scan and tear through text, whether it’s a blog post, a magazine article or a novel. Blogging, tweeting, texting, Facebooking and Internet surfing have all exacerbated that tendency.
The problem, of course, is that my speed-reading has carried over to the Bible, too. I find myself skimming it, reading it just to get through it so I can move on to other items on my to-do list. Or, worse, reading whole paragraphs while simultaneously obsessing over the fact that the wet laundry sat in the washer all night. I’m not thinking about God. I’m thinking about mildewy underwear.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about Benedict’s advice to “listen with the ear of your heart” – a kind of deep, attentive listening for God’s presence in your daily life. One way to do that, says Benedict, is through a close reading of Scripture, called lectio divina – literally translated from Latin as “divine reading.”
I admit that I have to work at this, and I don’t always do it very well. I have Bible Attention Deficit Disorder. That said, lectio divina is a valuable practice, and I’d like to think I’m getting better at it.
Here are some tips for practicing lectio divina (there are a few different methods – this is one I’ve tweaked a bit here and there so that it works for me):
1. Choose a very short passage (just a few verses) in the Bible, and read them through several times. If you are just beginning lectio, you might start with the Psalms, the Gospels or Paul’s letters – don’t head straight for Revelation or Leviticus or you’ll throw in the towel after 30 seconds flat.
2. Read the verses aloud– usually I whisper, because I’m the self-conscious type, even when I’m the only one home. While I’m reading, I try to listen closely for words or phrases that jump off the page or seem to speak to where I am or the challenges I am facing at the moment.
3. Write it – If something resonates, I jot those particular words or phrases in my journal, as well as my reaction to them. This is not eloquent prose. Usually I don’t even write in complete sentences. It’s simply a stream-of-consciousness reaction from the heart.
4. Mull over it – I try to take a word or phrase from Scripture and carry it with me throughout the day, repeating it to myself like a mantra while I’m driving the kids to school or emptying the dishwasher. I like the way even a single, small piece of Scripture can inform my daily life.
Don’t fret if you don’t have a dramatic epiphany during lectio divina. It’s not perfect or foolproof, and there will be days when you simply can’t move beyond your obsession over the wet laundry. I’ve had a couple lectio lightning bolt moments, but they are few and far between. Mostly this practice simply helps to remind me that God is indeed present in my everyday life.
Do you practice lectio divina? If so, what are some tips that work for you?
On Fridays during Lent I am re-visiting (read: rewriting) a series called Blogging Benedict that I wrote a couple of years ago. I am using the text St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living as my guide.
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Great post Michelle. Our instinct is to read to the end of the chapter or book, but Lectio is so different. Not only does it gift us with a deeper level of understanding, but it also slows us down…something that is counter-cultural.
Counter-cultural indeed, Andie. Reading lectio is about the only time I slow down these days.
I did a Bible study once with the Good Morning Girls and I found it helpful. It is similar but we took the book of Ephesians, and each morning you would copy a portion (we had a schedule) and answer questions like: what is the main idea of this passage? what words or thoughts stand out to you? etc. I truly digested the book for the first time.
I love the idea of studying one chapter and using specific questions with a group. I imagine that would be quite fruitful.
I definitely relate to this post. Thanks for some concrete ideas to try to counteract the “hurry up” attitude we all seem to have in this instant communication age. And, by the way, thank you for the devotional booklet. This is the second year I’ve been traveling through Lent with you via a devotional. I appreciate the time and effort you and your husband contributed to make the devotional possible, and I appreciate your willingness to share.
You are so welcome, Kim!
I am writing my way through Psalms. Just copying them from my Bible into my journal, one at a time. Today I did Psalm 96. It is remarkable how much I see when I take the time to write and mull over the words coming out of my pen. When I finish Psalms I think I might do Proverbs.
I know, I know, it sounds so simple doesn’t it? But yes, even just copying verses into my journal slows me down so much, enough to appreciate it and let the words sink in deeply. And they stick with me better, too, when I write them down.
Thank you for Michelle. I’ve been struggling with really focusing when I’m reading the Bible lately so the tips are truly appreciated. I don’t want to just skim… I want to “listen with the ear of my heart.”
I pray that these simple tips help, Beth.
Had a great talk with my kids the other day when I threw out that I’d received a message from God. My second daughter said, “I wish I got messages from God.” Then I walked her through times she’s prayed and other moments. I helped explain that messages come in all forms. It’s about training our ears–paying attention. Being OPEN to his presence. Love this post, Michelle. Going to get into the Bible this way today.
I love that you had this conversation with your daughter, Wendy. I’ve said such things myself over the years, but certain spiritual practices — like reading lectio and keeping a gratitude list — have really opened the ears (and eyes) of my heart and helped me tune into God’s presence in my everyday life.
Yes this is one spiritual practice I often do. Like you I skim way too much. One thing I am trying this year is intentional deep reading. After discernment and prayer, I have three books I am reading this year – slowly, with notes and journaling. I am presently doing The Cloud of the Unknowing translated by Carmen Butcher and want to return to Teresa of Avila’s Interior castle later in the year. The third one isn’t exactly a book but I want to study John 14 – one of my favorite chapter, full of wisdom.
Teresa of Avila – she is one of my 50 women! Interior Castle requires a very slow, contemplative reading…it’s dense.
I love this list. And I’m convicted, sitting here because I do this all way too often.
For me, I like to write out the words of favorite scriptures. Somehow in doing that, I understand them.
I do that, too, Duane. I simply copy verses into my journal – the act of writing out the words slows me way down, so that I can really digest what’s contained in the verses. One I just write a couple of days ago, from The Message, was this: Learn to live in holy awe. (from Deuteronomy). Isn’t that just beautiful. I’ve been repeating that verse over and over as I walk through my days.
I’ve never tried this way of Bible reading, Michelle, but after reading about your experiences with it, really want to give this a try. Thanks for the inspiration!
I hope you do try it, Martha – it really is a beautiful and fruitful practice. It’s pretty much the only way I read the Bible now, because otherwise, I’m off in la la land, thinking about laundry and blog posts and yada yada yada.
Again, Michelle…so like myself! Maybe we are twins, separated at birth!
Thank you for this very practical method of ‘ingesting’ a passage of Scripture, as opposed to ‘skimming’. My mind is usually on that load of wet laundry too, like right now! I bought a beautiful prayer journal before Christmas that uses a very similar method. I’ve used it, like 4 times. I have just recently pulled it out and started again. This affirms to be that I’m on the right path. I do find it a challenge to repeat to myself the Word throughout the day, but perhaps a note card at my kitchen sink would help with that. Thank you for this, Michelle. I love you, sister!
I love the idea of a notecard near the kitchen sink – i my have to try that myself. I’m not always very good about repeating the verse or the phrase throughout the day.
Love you, too, twin!
I take notes on Post-it notes and put them everywhere.
In my journal. On my calendar. In my Bible.
I used to just underline, but I have found that even though underlining helps me to remember the thrust of the passage,, the Post-it next to the passage and with my own handwriting brings it more to the forefront. My Bible is loaded with them. I had a friend pick up my Bible once and say, “oh I love this. Already annotated.” LOL — hardly, but it is kind of “tated” for me.
*twirls*
This particular discipline is the type of Bible reading that allows the Spirit to bring transformation instead of merely offering the brain information.
Thank you for this, Michelle. I appreciate you!
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