Women's Website Study
Dr. Martin Luther Church, Oconomowoc
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"Sacred Rhythms" by Ruth H Burton 
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 Longing for More: 
An invitation to spiritual transformation: 

Scripture
“As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside.  When he heard that it was Jesus, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more.  Jesus stopped and said, to him “What do you want me to do for you?”  “Rabbi, I want to see.”  “Go”, said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”

                            Mark 10:46-52

Message

Bartimaeus wasn’t shy about asking for what he wanted. He knew that crying out for himself meant life. When was the last time you allowed yourself to feel your own longing to cry out? (Your longing for love, your longing for God, your longing to live your life as it is meant to be lived?) There’s a time in all of our lives, when we have a need for healing or change in our life or behaviors. Acknowledging your longing is the first step toward transformation. .

Prayer

Dear God,

It is not until after I have settled into my desires and named them In Your presence that I am ready to be guided into the spiritual practices that will open me to receive what my heart longs for.  Help me to understand that my desire is the beginning of my spiritual journey. Thank You that the experience of longing and desire reminds me that I am alive in ways that I want to be alive.  Enable me to feel safe and allow myself to want it so bad that I cry out to You.  Amen

Going Deeper

Imagine yourself as the person in the noisy crowd needing something from Christ and calling out to him.  How do you approach him or try to get his attention?  What words do you use?  What emotions do you feel? 

Imagine that in response Jesus turns to you.  Now you are face to face with Him.  Allow yourself the full realization that you have Jesus’ complete attention and hear his question addressed to you: “What do you want me to do for you?”  

Desire is the beginning of the spiritual journey.