LENT WEEK 4
Haiku Meditation
Securely planted
Ready to receive the grace
Of what will become
Spikenard
John 1:16: “For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.”
For a seed to bloom it must become undone. But it is only ready for its undoing, because it has been firmly planted in rich soil. It seems backwards, to be carefully planted and cared for only to be broken open and spilled out for all to eventually see. But this is the kingdom way that Lent reminds us of. Jesus spent time in solitude, growing deeper in God’s presence before his active ministry where he was eventually broken open and poured out for all to see.
This week’s art work by Natalie Salminen Rude are images of Spikenard. Spikenard in the Bible, is often viewed as a symbol of devotion, selfless love, and the preparation for spiritual transformation. The story of Mary breaking the alabaster jar and anointing Jesus' feet with spikenard (John 12:3) is a powerful example of being broken open and poured out in devotion to Jesus. Mary was undone and changed by Jesus’ presence. Spikenard was a very expensive perfume, suggesting that Mary offered Jesus her most precious gift. Some interpret this anointing as a preparation for Jesus' burial, foreshadowing his death and resurrection.
We also see in the art piece the roots of the spikenard growing down. A visual reminder to help us meditate on being firmly planted in the soil of God’s Truth. If you watch a time lapse of a seed planted in the dirt the first thing you see it do is grow a sprout downward deeper into the soil. Without this first step of reaching a root down deep, the seed would not survive above the surface. It’s hard to feel secure in these troubled times when all around us we find heartache and crisis. However, it’s often in turmoil that we can see more clearly where we need to be planted. When all the world is sinking sand, we must press in more deeply to the One who holds us secure. When God prepares us for a new season, he often leads us first, more deeply into Himself. Sometimes we want the fruitful, blooming season without the preparation. We want the outward beautiful things for all to see and we seek validation from what we are producing on the outside. But we cannot skip the preparation season and growing deeper first. We must be securely planted in God’s Word before we are ready to bloom.
A seed on the verge of breaking open in the ground and starting the process of new growth has been made ready to receive all that it’s going to become. The only thing left for it to do is to grow into its fullness. Once the process starts, that seed is on its way and trusts the ground that securely holds it. Maybe you’ve held back in receiving the fullness of God’s grace or maybe believe you won’t have what it takes to step into the new season he’s inviting you into. His grace is sufficient for you. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
There is still fragility in beauty. A flower in full bloom must rely on the strength of the soil that holds it to endure the elements in its most vulnerable state. Our becoming requires great risk but leads to great freedom. We trust the process and receive the fullness of his grace that allows us to live in freedom of who we are becoming in Christ.
As we move closer to Easter Sunday and look to the resurrection, let’s grow down deeper into the Word like a seed breaking open reaching its first root down into the rich soil. The movement mediation and creative practices this week are designed to help focus on some specific scriptures. Meditate on these verses as you watch the movement meditation and pray through the guided journal prompts and write your own Haiku prayer. Try some of the movements this week in your prayer time.
Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
John 1:16: “For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace.”
Embodied Movement Meditation: “BECOME”
Guided Journal Prompts:
How are you preparing your heart to move into a new season of growth?
Have you felt securely planted?
What are some things that make you feel secure?
What do you hear God inviting you into?
Prayer: May we be securely planted in the Word, made ready and open to receive the fullness of God’s grace for all that we are being led to become in our next season.
Creative Practice: Write a haiku in your own words in response to this week’s scripture.
Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Haiku is an ancient Japanese art form that was developed to capture a moment in vivid, descriptive words. It’s purpose is to focus and be attentive to your surroundings and try to describe it in the most efficient use of words as possible. A haiku is made up of 3 lines that follow the 5/7/5 rule of syllables with the first line being 5 syllables, the second line being 7 and the third line being 5 again for a total of 17 syllables. It can be a very helpful, contemplative practice to quiet the mind and be attentive in the present moment.
Art work by Natalie Salminen Rude
https://nataliesalminen.com
Music by Ty.Rex
Haiku by Libby Johnson
Dancer Libby Johnson
Copyright Vivid Artistry 2022
May not be used or duplicated without permission