Grace likes to eat breakfast very early. Often after she’s fed, I’ll go back to bed for a little bit. With a full tummy Grace then likes to jump up on the bed and curl up for a rest until her morning walk. She begins her rest at the foot of the bed. However, she slowly begins to move on the top of the blanket. She stretches out her legs and inches towards the head of the bed. Grace moves with stealth, perhaps thinking her movement goes unnoticed. Eventually, she creeps up the bed so that her head lines up with my own. She loves to be close.
Creep — To move slowly and carefully at an inexorably steady pace.
I notice the ways I creep in daily living. I move slowly after putting my granddaughter down for a nap. In efforts to not wake her, I carefully close the door and tip toe away. I quietly creep down the stairs with thoughtful and intentional steps. When I leave the house for appointments, I creep out the garage door, hoping Grace remains asleep in the chair. Sometimes when Gary converses with someone on the computer, I creep by, endeavoring to not disturb him. When I see a friend at the store, I might creep up with a surprising “hello.” This kind of creeping isn’t spooky or weird, but involves slow, steady, and intentional movements.
What are ways you creep, moving slowly and carefully, in everyday life?
The ways of creeping in the rhythms of life and the movement of Grace remind me of Martin Luther’s assertion regarding Scripture: “If I read with all of my senses, if I creep into the text, I will emerge from the text transformed. I have encountered the figure of Jesus and this now shapes my figure.” (Anselum Grun, Jesus: the Image of Humanity, pg. 14)
I notice when I approach Scripture with my senses that I encounter the Trinity in fresh and life-giving ways. Engaging my imagination captures my five senses and illuminates what I read. This leads me to creep with the Holy Spirit through the Bible. I find it fun to creep through the Bible.
Lately, the apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians invites me to creep. Creeping through his prayers for the church moves deeply in my soul. Join me and creep in these two passages. Read them slowly. Be curious. Employ your imagination and your senses. Explore the words. Pay attention to the emotions and feelings arising within you. Take note of the ways your body responds. Linger in an unhurried manner.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:17-22)
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:16-21)
What was that like for you? How did you encounter Jesus? In what ways do these passages shape you? Notice the ways your soul experiences the fullness of life with God as you slow with Him.
The world in which we live operates in a hurried fashion. Narratives of faster, bigger, and more permeate our surroundings. It is easy to become enculturated to this mindset, allowing speed and productivity to sneak into our approach to Scripture and experience with God. Let us slow down. Creep with Scripture. With intention, move slowly with the Word of God. Savor time with Jesus and let Him shape you. Welcome the unhurried transforming movement of God in your life.
This week – – –
Reflect. Wonder about ways the culture has influenced your approach to Scripture and connection with the Trinity. God comes in love. Does your soul long for meaningful time in the Bible? What adjustments to your daily routine would allow for space to creep in the Word?
Request. Invite the Holy Spirit to slow down your pace this week. Ask God to deepen your desire to linger in Scripture and let the Bible form you to look more like Jesus.
Receive. Receive God’s delight in you as you creep in the Word. Let the Holy Spirit guide your imagination to engage your senses with the Bible. Lent, the season leading to Easter begin February 18 – Creep to the cross for this forty days. Prepare your heart to receive the sacrifice and celebration of Jesus.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active.
Psalm 1:1-2 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Chris Webb. The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on Holy Ground. Downers Grove, IL. 2011.
Jan Johnson. Meeting God in Scripture: Forty Guided Meditations. Downers Grove, CO. 2016.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Leanna Crawford. Still Waters (Psalm 23). Click here to watch & listen.
MercyMe. Word of God Speak. Click here to watch and listen.
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
April 11 – LIttleton, CO – Colorado Community Church, Prayer Ministry
April 24-May 3 – Lviv, Ukraine – Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, The Care of Souls. upfmissions.org
May 18-22 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
May 31-June 13 – Quarryville, PA – Black Rock Retreat, Summer Camp Staff Training
July 6-10 – Littleton, CO – Denver Seminary, Certificate in Spiritual Direction Cohort
July 13-21 – Kigali, Rwanda – Soul Care Retreat and Training, Life Link Rwanda