Searching your soul

Hennie Symington

Set aside this day to take stock of your soul. Find a quiet place and ask God to guide your thoughts.

Read the Scripture selections slowly until the meaning becomes clear. Read them out loud so that you can hear the Word of God. Meditate on these words until you and the Word become one. Do not try to analyse or understand it. Allow the Word of God to touch and transform you heart.

Now take a deep breath and visualise your heart as the place where God lives. Imagine your body as a mine shaft in which you descend to the depths of your soul. Read the following words over and over again:

                        From the depths of my despair I call to you, Lord.

                            Hear my cry, O Lord;

                  Listen to my call for help! Psalm 130:1b-2

                        Examine me, O God, and know my mind;

                      test me, and discover my thoughts. Psalm 159:23

I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. Ezekiel 36:26

Then read the following Scripture verse out loud. Concentrate you mind on the Scripture and allow God to comfort you:

                “Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me.” John 14:1

Turn inwards and ask God to help you rediscover your passion and energy for life.

                        How precious, O God is your constant love!

                              We find protection under the shadow of your wings.

                        We feast on the abundant food you provide;

                              you let us drink from the river of your goodness.

                        You are the source of all life,

                              and because of your light we see the light. Psalm 36:7

                        I praise the Lord, because he guides me,

                              and in the night my conscience warns me.

                        I am always aware of the Lord's presence;

                              he is near, and nothing can shake me. Psalm 16:6-11

                  When you’re done, write down what you felt. Repeat this exercise regularly making use of other Scriptures so that you can master the technique of meditation and becoming one with God’s Word.

Prayer: Lord, I’m so used to living on the surface of my soul that I have forgotten the spiritual depths that exist in me. Teach me to meditate on your Word and discover the depth, the height and the breadth of your presence.