Mindful Mondays! #1

I’m excited to introduce a new weekly feature on Skipping Stones: Mindful Mondays. A significant aspect of my spiritual growth plan involves mindfulness. Mindfulness can be defined as: “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something” (From Google). As a discipline of faith, mindfulness can be used in several different ways. Over the course of the next few Mondays, I will introduce some of those uses. After that, each week I will provide a thought or a verse upon which we can focus and ruminate that will help us along the path of spiritual growth.

The first and one of the most powerful ways mindfulness helps us out involves practicing the presence of God (for a good short read, check out The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Andrew). Jesus told us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20, ESV). Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (ESV). When we become increasingly aware of God’s constant presence with, in and around us, our fixation on the things of this world decreases. It is painfully easy for our minds to become imprisoned by all of the violence, injustice, and hatred that we see so much of these days. And in this digital age, we get up-to-the-minute updates about everything that’s wrong in this world sent right to our phones (which rarely leave our sides). In addition, we are constantly bombarded with marketing ploys designed to draw us into the modern-day idolatry so prevalent in our culture. Being conscious of God’s presence with us can revolutionize our spiritual walk. God wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the weightier decisions we make.

There will be many times, no doubt, you will find that you have forgotten that He is with you many times throughout the day. I know that I certainly do. There’s no guilt here! Just thank Him for being with you and pick up where you left off. He won’t begrudge you. He loves you and cherishes His time with you. In time, it will become easier and you will find that you are constantly being refreshed as you involve Him. While contextually referring to the fruit of repentance, the following verse also functions well regarding our relationship with Him: “…that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:20, ESV).

This week try to remember, be mindful of, the words of Christ, “I am with you always.”