Lectio Reflection from the Book of Habakkuk

Are you reading your Bible but feeling like you're just going through the motions? Like gulping food without tasting it? There's a better way.

In this episode, I lead you through a Lectio Divina—sacred reading—practice that transforms your time in Scripture from boring obligation to intimate encounter. I'll walk you through exactly how to do it, using Habakkuk 3:19 as our example text, and show you why slowing down to really connect with God's Word is like a probiotic for your soul.

You'll learn how to move beyond just reading for information to actually meditating on truth, speaking honestly with God about what you're feeling, contemplating transformation, and carrying a word or phrase with you throughout your day. I even share my own Lectio session so you can see what this looks like in real life.

Whether you have 2 minutes or 15, this practice will help you make yourself available to hear what God wants to say to you personally through His Word.

Transcript

God's word is like a probiotic, producing a healthier spirit.  It’s spiritual food that produces a brightness and energy to love, live, and act like Jesus.

Consuming a gospel concept, biblical command, an Old Testament song, a call to courage feeds a starved soul. Make your reading of the Word more memorable with Lectio Divinia.

Lectio Divinia is a Latin phrase, meaning sacred reading.  Lectio moves you out of boredom with the stories and characters of the Bible.  If we read verses without contemplation, this is like gulping food without savoring the flavor, our spirit cannot be satisfied with this kind of biblical consumption.  

Lectio is your time for leisure. A time to plant yourself in God’s presence with his Word.

How much time is up to you. 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or even 15. 

You might consider that God has something to say to you through his word. I believe making yourself available to Him expands the relationship and a sense of Him with you.

As you enter this sacred time with God, set the tone with these requests:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to act as your Teacher
• Ask that God’s Word reverberate with meaning
• Ask that it becomes part of your heart influencing who you are

Today’s Lectio is from the Old Testament Book, Habakkuk. He was a prophet sent by God to convey God’s message to his people. Open your Bible to Habakkuk, its near the end of the Old Testament books.

Begin your Lectio practice by opening your Bible to Habakkuk, Chapter 3, verse 19. Invite the Holy Spirit into this space.

Slowly read each word. You are not reading for information. You are connecting with the words. It says, 

 "The sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes me as surefooted as a deer able to tread upon the heights"

Meditate on the truth or reality of the message in the verse. Note what you feel and think. Be honest about its truth to you. Try not to censor your thoughts.

• Speak to God about what you felt or thought. 
• Listen in quiet. 
• Ask God to make clear what is not. 
• Tell God how and why this verse affects you in a good or bad way. 
• Write anything you think you hear from God.

Contemplate how this verse could transform what you believe and feel.

Take your word. Select a word or short phrase you will carry into the day or week. Incorporate this word and let it influence your self-talk, beliefs, and actions toward others. 

For those interested, here is how I held my Lectio session using this verse. This will give an example for anyone new to Lectio.

I settled into a comfortable position and asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me. My eyes roamed across each word of the verse. Four words stood out: strength, makes, surefooted, able.

I meditated on the statement, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength”. Sometimes I don’t feel strength. Often I don’t feel surefooted especially in a role I’m trying to fulfill at church. 

Next, I took my thoughts and feelings to God in prayer: 

God, why don’t I feel strong in my weaknesses? Why don’t I feel surefooted? Am I leaning into my strength rather than seeking Your strength as I speak and act in various capacities? You want me to be confident and courageous. Show me how.

I ended my session with contemplation. Habukkuk says the Lord is his strength. Done deal. I want that statement to transform me. I will carry the phrase “the Lord is my strength” for a while because it’s how I want to approach the challenges in my life.

This verse reminds me I am not alone. That I am convinced God’s got eyes on me and hears me helps reduce my anxiety and worry. 

Well I hope you enjoy your Lectio session as much as I did.