LENT WEEK 2
Haiku Meditation
Covered through winter
Time to pull back what’s been veiled
Seasons are changing
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91: 1-4
Covered through winter: A covering for a garden to go into the winter phase is meant to protect it from the anticipated harsh elements. Mulch or leaves from the fall are often used to blanket a garden bed and layer it with warmth as it goes into a restorative state. Reflecting on the story of Jesus, just before he was driven into the wilderness, he was covered by the waters of baptism and the descending of the Spirit announcing his beloved sonship to the Father. Even with Jesus, God did not send him into a barren season without first a covering of blessing and annointing.
“One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth and had John immerse him in the Jordan River.The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon him. At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying:
“You are my Son, my cherished one, and my greatest delight is in you!”
Immediately after this he was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into an uninhabited desert region. He remained there in the wilderness for forty days, enduring the ordeals of Satan’s tests. He encountered wild animals, but also angels who appeared and ministered to his needs.” Mark 1:9-13
Along with a covering, sometimes a garden is pruned before it goes into winter. This can leave the plants vulnerable in spring when the ground begins to thaw which makes the need for a covering even more vital. The cutting back of what has already bloomed is a protective measure for the plants and prepares them for the harsh season ahead, but the pruning does more than that. It also makes the plants ready for when it’s time to bloom again. We can trust that God will provide his covering over us, even when we are feeling wounded by the pruning and needing to let go of what once was. We can rest in knowing he will protect us in our vulnerable state.
Time to pull back what’s been veiled: As winter begins to wane, it’s time to pull the protective layer off the soil. It can be challenging to come out from under a warm blanket where it feels comfortable and safe. There’s a powerful metaphor for our lives in the stage of uncovering the garden for spring. If a garden’s protective layer is not pulled back, the garden will go to rot.
We can lay dormant for too long out of fear or complacency. Even distracted living and over scheduled lives can be a protective shell we hide under. Pulling back what’s been hidden during winter reveals the vulnerability of the barren ground. However, this is where our potential lies and the promise God gives that he is making all things new.
The barren ground beneath the veil should fill us with great hope for new life that is to come.
Seasons are changing: Anticipating a new season of preparation and growth usually requires something of us. The peeling back of our protective layer is surrendering to the unknown. It takes vulnerability to allow the light to shine on the hidden places that have been resting and like a seed, allow ourselves to be broken and undone in order to grow again. The wisdom of nature shows us that this cycle is by divine design and teaches us how to be more in step with our Creator.
Are you ready for the light to illuminate your new season? It is good news that this is part of the preparation phase for renewal. What has been hidden and resting is now being made ready for a new stage and it begins with the uncovering, turning over the protective, hardened layer of top soil and breaking up the ground to unearth what has been lying dormant. Only in soil that easily crumbles can things grow. Allow the light to soften and melt the hardened ground from the barren season.
Prayer Practice: In Benedictine practices, the hour of dawn is associated with the spring season. The time of new possibility when we awaken and take our first breaths of the day. Just like the daily rhythm of the arrival of a new day, we must rise from the darkness for the light has come. Take this week to align your morning rhythm with praying at dawn for the emerging season of spring. Meditate on the suggested scripture at the top and use the creative practices to help form a daily rhythm of morning prayer. Look back on what has felt like a wilderness season, retrace your steps and ask God to show you how he provided a covering over you before entering that time.
Embodied Movement Meditation: “COVERED”
Guided Journal Prompts:
What has been lying dormant and is awakening in your life?
Do you find yourself resisting or surrendering to pulling back the covering of the winter season?
What new growth are you dreaming about with God?
A garden’s topsoil has to be crumbled in order for new things to grow. What protective top layer of soil in your life needs to be crumbled to allow for new growth? What will it require of you?
Scripture: The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of the our God. Isaiah 35:1-2
Song Suggestions: Broken More Beautiful by Libby John https://music.apple.com/us/album/broken-more-beautiful/1297052167?i=1297052537 (also available on Spotify or Bandcamp:
Endless Alleluia by Cory Asbury https://music.apple.com/us/album/endless-alleluia/1320253615?i=1320253950 (also available on Spotify and Google Play)
Art work by Natalie Salminen Rude
https://nataliesalminen.com
Haiku by Libby Johnson
Dancer Danielle Cina
Music by Ty. Rex
Copyright Vivid Artistry 2021
May not be used or duplicated without permission