Transcript
Speaker: The following podcast is a Jill Devine Media production. Christianity has become known for judgy people, strange words, ancient stories, confusing rules, and a members -only mindset. This is why I stayed away from the church for so long, but it's not supposed to be that way. I'm Jill Devine, a former radio personality with three tattoos, a love for a good tequila, and who's never read the entire Bible.
Speaker: Yet here I am hosting a podcast about faith. The normal goes a long way podcast is your home for real conversations with real people using real language about how faith and real life intersect. Welcome to the conversation. Today is day two in Holy Week is Monday and we are going to continue with being intentional and spending time
Speaker: in scripture, along with a guided prayer from Laura Fleetwood. Welcome back to our guided prayer sessions for Holy Week. Today is Monday and we'll start our session bringing our attention to the present moment in mindfulness.
Speaker: When you're used to living a busy, busy life, it can at first feel difficult to bring your mind to the present. We do that by focusing on our breath, closing our eyes, and noticing
Speaker: When we experience the present moment in mindfulness, there's no judgment. You feel what you feel. You notice what you notice.
Speaker: If you get distracted by thoughts of the past or the future, just bring your attention back to your breath. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, you'll find that you start to crave
Speaker: The stillness that happens when you come to the present moment. And all of the items on your to -do list fall away. And you're just here, you and God.
Speaker: We continue our journey through Holy Week using the book of John. The story picks up in John 12 verse 20 as Jesus predicts his death.
Speaker: Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Basseta in Galilee with a request. Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus. Philip went to tell Andrew. Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
Speaker: Jesus replied, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Speaker: Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me.
Speaker: Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason. I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Then a voice from heaven came and said, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again. The crowd that was there and heard it said, it had thundered.
Speaker: Others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, this voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world. Now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.
Speaker: The crowd spoke up. We have heard from the law that the Messiah will remain forever. So how can you say the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is the Son of Man?
Speaker: Then Jesus told them, you are going to have the light just a little longer. Walk while you have the light before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light so that you may become children of light. When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.
Speaker: Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, Lord who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light so that you may become children of light.
Speaker: That is the focus of our guided prayer today. God spoke in this story so that the people would believe. Jesus said it was for their benefit.
Speaker: Jesus was asking them to believe some impossible things. That he was the son of God. And that's still what he asks us to believe today. He is the light in the darkness of this world.
Speaker: Are you living as a child of the light? Lord, please show us what that looks like.
Speaker: It looks unique in every individual. Right in the middle of whatever we're going through. You are the light.
Speaker: We're so sorry for all the times that we try to find our own way in the dark. We fumble around. Thinking that we can figure it out on our own. And our own strength. And our own wisdom.
Speaker: And the whole time your light is shining and you ask us to walk in it. Lord, we want to walk in your light. We want to be children of the light.
Speaker: Thank you for making this journey toward the cross and the empty tomb so that we can have the blessing of knowing that you are with us always, that even death could not defeat you. Your light had to shine in the darkness then, and it continues to shine in the darkness now.
Speaker: In the days to come, help us to turn towards your light. Give us awareness of when we are trying to walk through this world on our own and help us turn toward the glorious, beautiful, beaming light of your presence in our lives.
Speaker: We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.
