During the spring I engaged in a 40-day “welcoming” practice.* I sought to welcome God consciously into every disturbing thought, feeling, emotion, and situation, and into every encounter with another person or group, whether outwardly or in my thoughts—and then let go.
Under normal circumstances, our reactions to such thoughts, feelings, and encounters may be so fleeting, and so familiar, that we’re not consciously aware of what’s happening below the level of consciousness. But I found that I could become more aware of what was happening internally. I could choose to feel it, welcome God’s healing presence into it, and let go of my desire to resist, change, or control it.
The reading for Day 27 said that this practice promotes a change in attitudes, which leads to changed behaviors, which leads to a change of consciousness. That made sense to me. I began listing some of the attitudes I wanted to have. Here’s my list as it stands today, along with a verse in Scripture that illustrates each:
- Anticipation of good (II Cor. 9:8)
- Hope and faith, especially in dark times (Psalm 141:8)
- A loving viewpoint, especially when love is challenged by evil (I Peter 4:8)
- Openness to God’s leading (II Chron. 20:12)
- Awareness of “God in all things” (Col. 3:11)
- Courage (Josh. 1:9)
- Childlikeness (Matt. 18:2-4)
- Joyfulness (Phil. 4:4)
- Cheerfulness (John 16:33)
- Thankfulness and praise (Psalm 100:4-5)
- Full surrender to God (James 4:7)
- Generosity and mercy toward my neighbor (John 13:34-35)
- Self-awareness and self-care (Mark 12:31)
- Peacefulness and serenity (Phil. 4:6-7)
In addition to practicing “welcoming,” I’ve found that even just rereading my list is helpful! I can also meditate on these and other Scriptures. I can notice and be inspired by these attitudes in other people. And I can seek to practice them myself.
What attitudes do you want to have? With more Christlike attitudes, our behaviors and our consciousness will be more Christlike. And won’t that be wonderful!
*Welcoming Prayer: Consent on the Go, accessible at contemplativeoutreach.org.
