Fed by God

Slow down with Scripture and this gentle guided meditation that helps us receive God’s abundance when we feel limited or stretched. We'll imagine a bountiful garden with Jesus and practice noticing, savoring, and welcoming the blessings God is already giving you this very day.

For more on the theme Fed by God, see page 116 of With God in Every Breath by Whitney R. Simpson.

Transcript

Settle In For Guided Prayer

Scripture Reading On Provision

Picture A Bountiful Garden

Taste The Gift Of Abundance

Speak Gratitude And Receive Blessing

Closing Prayer And Sending Peace

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hi, I'm Whitney and you're listening to Exploring Peace Meditations. If you're new here, I'd love to invite you to connect with me and find my books at WhitneyRsimpson.com. You can find more prayers and meditations like this one at exploringpeace.com slash podcast. For today's prayer, I'm going to invite you to find a seated or reclined posture in which you can relax, breathe deeply, and join me on a guided meditation journey. First, listen to John chapter 6, 1 through 6. This is from the message. Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee. A huge crowd followed him, attracted by the miracles they had seen him doing among the sick. When he got to the other side, he climbed a hill and sat down, surrounded by his disciples. It was nearly time for the feast of Passover kept annually by the Jews. When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, Where can we buy bread to feed these people? He said this to stretch Philip's faith. He already knew what he was going to do. Jesus transcends human limitations. He provides for us abundantly. As we pause and welcome this time of centering with Jesus, when I invite you to be fed by God today. Imagine that you are in a bountiful garden. See the vibrant colors, the lush greenery, the fragrant blossoms surrounding you. Feel the sun's warmth on your skin and the gentle breeze in the air. Notice your breath. Allow it to be full and purposeful. Continue breathing as you explore this beautiful garden in your mind's eye. Notice the bounty of vegetables. They are ripe, vibrant, inviting. Take a moment to appreciate the fullness of the garden and the symbol of the abundance that it has to offer you today. That life has to offer you today. Now in this garden, in your mind's eye, you notice more than the bounty of vegetables and blessings. You hear a soft, loving voice. Jesus invites you to taste any or all of the vegetables that capture your attention. You choose a vegetable. Maybe it's something you've never tried before. Maybe it's a favorite that brings back fond memories. Reach out, look it from its branch or vine, and hold it. Feel the texture. Smell the aroma. Appreciate the abundant gift. In your imagination, you take a bite. You savor the flavors that burst in your mouth. You notice what this vegetable tastes like. You let this taste be a reminder of the richness and fullness of life. As you continue to explore this plentiful garden, feel free to try more vegetables. Each one is a unique experience, a blessing, a bounty. Be present, be immersed. Welcome God's abundance. And as you savor the blessings, remember that your life, like a bountiful garden, is also full of abundance, beauty, grace. Say to yourself, I welcome God's blessings. I welcome God's blessings. I welcome God's blessings. Carry this sense of blessing, of abundance, carry it forth beyond this time of quiet, knowing that God longs to feed you, to give you more than you need, to bless you with surprises. Are you open to seeing them, to welcoming them? Do you realize today that God is the one that connects you? That God is the vine, the branch, the giver, the source of infinite love, infinite abundance. God is your creator too. God, thank you for the bounty of blessings. Help us recognize the blessings in our garden of life, the way you long to feed us. Help us recognize the ways you care for us every day and bless us each day. May we not take our bounty of blessings for granted. May we savor them, enjoy them, and relish them with you. In your holy name we pray. Amen. May you notice the many blessings in your life today. Even when the garden feels full and full of weeds and thorns, may you notice them, may you see them. May you open your hands and your heart and your mind to welcome them from your Creator. Until next time, may God's peace be with you.