Adventure Up the Mountain

12/5/2018

Step #1: Lectio / Read

Click the link below or open your Bible to the passage and read through the reading at least once, paying attention to what is happening in the text.

Isaiah 25:6-10A

Step #2: Meditatio / Meditate

Use the following meditation to help you reflect more deeply on the Scripture (you may want to read the passage again).

Mountain top experience. It’s a phrase we use to talk about a time where life seems to slow to a standstill while simultaneously rushing over us, leaving us in utter gratitude. Throughout the scriptures, we read about countless surprising, humbling, and life-altering experiences that happen while someone is on the top of a mountain with God. What is it about being on a mountain that opens up man to these incredible encounters?

Adventure.

It’s easy to let each day pass by without it making any memorable impact whatsoever. I have a to-do list. I have a lot of people who have placed expectations on me. I’m tired and bored—desiring to do more but not having the energy. Something will break soon, I hope. If these are the feelings that we experience, no wonder we can’t remember the last time we had a mountain top experience—we haven’t climbed the mountain!

You are a delight. You were created for adventure. You were created for radical relationship. For a moment, forget all the lies, pressures, and memories that say otherwise. The Lord desires to adventure with you. He wants to lavish every good thing upon you, but even more primarily, He wants to just be with you on the mountain. The view on the mountain is breathtaking. You can see the whole world it seems. The commotion and busyness have no place in this encounter, they’re just a distraction from the love that washes over you. You feel the gaze of the Father, seeing all of you—never with an air of shame, only warmth and affection.

As the Beloved of the Lord, you might feel that fire begin to rise up in you as you reflect on what that adventure on the mountain with God might be like. You might realize you’ve deeply longed to experience that love with the Lord. Don’t let the fire burn out, beg the Lord to fan the flame until you have the inspiration enough to move. Don’t be afraid to cry out in trust, sharing with Him your desire to be made new today. Right now. Don’t hesitate. Take that first step up the mountain.

Maybe this leaves you with the desire to move, and a feeling of hopelessness in where to begin. Begin where you are. You are surrounded by others whom God resides in. Affirm Christ in them. It’s an adventure to get out of ourselves even in these simple social situations. God is alive in you. Write out a litany of gratitude, reveling in the goodness and gifts He’s given you—without hiding behind a fear of ‘pride’. It’s an adventure to see ourselves as God does. Paint a picture, write a poem, send letters, go for a long walk—do something creative and unnecessary. It’s an adventure to seize the day by choice, and not by obligation. In each little choice for adventure, we allow ourselves to climb the mountain with God, and it’s there that we can begin to receive the renewal of life that the Lord has promised.

Welcome to the freedom.

Step #3: Oratio / Pray

These questions are to be used to talk to God; have a conversation with the Lord about these questions and what is going on in your heart as you pray today.

What adventure awaits me today? What makes today special?

Where and when have I experienced adventure with the Lord?

Who is climbing the mountain with me? Who am I adventuring with?

Step #4: Contemplatio / Contemplate

In this step, you listen. Stop talking, let God speak to your heart. You may repeat one of these short phrases to focus your mind on the Lord.

"I was created for adventure."

"I was created for radical relationship."

"I will climb this mountain."

Step #5: Actio / Act

In light of today's reading and your time spent in prayer with the Lord, what concrete action or actions will you take to let this encounter with the Lord bear fruit in you today?

Seek out an adventure today, even a little one (feel free to reread the meditation for some examples!), and make that choice to adventure up the mountain with God.

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Today's prayer was prepared by Deacon Robert Blood, seminarian and transitional deacon of the Diocese of Rockford.

If you have anything you'd like our team to pray for, please go to the page of our website called "Prayers" and let us know how we can pray for you today.

CARPE VERBUM