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Links are provided at the end to reduce distractions.
It's a new Sabbath, a reminder that our work was never meant to save or sustain us.
As we continue to count the Omer and bring in the everyday, small harvest of our inmost being, we will only flourish where we are rooted in gratitude and Love.
Today is forty-two days, which is six weeks and one day of the Omer. The Omer is counted every evening after nightfall, from the second night of Passover till the night before Pentecost ("fifty", in Greek) Shavuot ("weeks", in Hebrew).
There are forty-nine days, a 7-week period, between the Jewish holidays of Passover and Shavuot as stated in the Torah, the Hebrew Scriptures: Leviticus 23:15–16.
As we expectantly look forward to Shavuot...
We will Wait
We will Awaken
We will Lament and Trust
We will Confess
Four Contemplative Checkpoints:
The What
What are you awaiting? And what growth must occur in you during the wait?
The Who
Who am I when I am awakened? (a question of identity)
Who do you say Jesus is?
Who do you say you are?
Who do you say you are becoming?
The How
How will lament and trust mobilize you in the wait?
In the Psalms, we’re either being drawn into praise or lament. Lament requires a strength to feel broken-hearted before we rise to confess our conclusions about a matter. Lamenting isn't a form of complaining, it's a form of hope-filled and awakened worship.
Lamenting opens us up to the gift and the virtue of humility. The ego doesn't bring this gift. As we allow humility to escort us through the layers of our mourning, we will discover a connection with God's heart for healing, recovery, and restoration.
The Why
Understand the purpose of my confessions during the wait.
Confessions are closely related to our beliefs. We only confess what we believe and that includes our disbelief. The reason we confess is to make known what's in the heart.
When I speak of confession, I am not referring to the act of contrition. It's not less than that, it's much more — it's about the words we speak from the inmost of ourselves in agreement with the Beloved about His Presence in our life and the life of others.
Bless the wait,
it lives to animate love
and awaken me to lean into
Your heart.
Leaning is my intimacy.
Leaning is my invitation.
Leaning is my grace.
A leaning that welcomes
lament and trust
faithful companions.
Companions who guide me
into a series of confessions
of Christ-centered audacity.
This blessing is here to persuade you to bless and boast in your small and significant places.
Tap and download the Omer counting guide to remind your soul of the significance of the everyday, small harvest. Share it with a friend.
Until next time,
Scribble. Speak. From your soul.
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More SOULutions Worksheets and Guides LEAVE A COMMENT: Have you ever considered how the laments you've journaled or spoken have opened you up more to God's presence?
