Tomorrow I head to Maryland for 10 days of training in Spiritual Direction. I've been reading (and reading and reading) many assigned articles and books. Because Spiritual Direction is more in the "contemplative" vein of Christianity, the instructions are to read it listening for what God might say to you in the reading. Those are the kind of instructions I enjoy. But some of the reading is quite academic. And there is lots of it. And I'm behind. And I'm not the only one.
I got an email from one of my classmates, who said she was 'frantically reading' in order to get the assignments done. I immediately related to the "frantic" part... and then started to laugh. We're supposed to be slowly contemplating the reading, listening for the voice of God's Spirit. But instead we're frantically reading in order to get the assignment done! After a good laugh, I decided to slow my reading back down... even if it means I'm behind when I get there. Somehow "skimming" books that speak of listening for the quiet voice of God seems wrong!
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This lesson about frantically reading is a good one! I struggle with it constantly. Although you are not buying new books and are too busy at this point in time to do so, I would highly recommend a book about this very thing: Shaped by the Word, by Mulholland. If you go to my library thing on my blog, it is there for you to take a look at. A VERY powerful read. Peace
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