Finding Strength in Stillness
In response to a growing hunger for God, we launched a six-month formation journey to “find strength in stillness” and abide in Christ:
(i) Family Group Spiritual Direction: Monthly gatherings in our home for silence, sharing, prayerfully listening, and prayer (ended mid-April).
(ii) Student Meditation Group: Bi-weekly practice on campus for 2-hour sessions of Scripture meditation, sharing, and prayer (ended mid-March).
Here are some heartfelt reflections from participants of the Students Meditation Group:
Through this meditation journey, I experienced God’s Word flowing naturally into my soul – not just through intellect, but as a full-bodied, sensory encounter that brought me back to the heart of Christ. I learned to be still, to wait, to listen. In that quiet, I rediscovered who God is and who I am. I used to think God spoke only through dramatic signs. Now I know he often speaks in whispers – like to Elijah and Samuel. In stillness, when I humbly said, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening,’ He did. When he said, ‘The journey ahead is long,’ I saw the loving encouragement in his eyes – like a father gently patting my shoulder. When he turned to me, face bloodied and beaten, my heart broke; yet his eyes held a tenderness deeper than any wound. When he asked three times, ‘Do you love me?’ I knew it wasn’t condemnation, but a tender restoration of my broken heart. And when he commanded, ‘Feed my lambs,’ I accepted the call with trembling hands – realizing that only those deeply aware of their weakness can fully rely on his strength. Now, ‘in Christ’ is no longer abstract; it’s a daily, living encounter with his love.”
“These past months of meditation have helped me quiet the mental noise, listen for God’s voice, and become more aware of my inner life. Two insights stood out during this journey: (1) Scripture Came Alive: While ‘illumination from the Word’ is a familiar Christian phrase, I had rarely felt such clarity in past readings. In stillness, however, as I focused on God’s Word, the text came alive. Certain phrases pierced my heart, revealing hidden needs, offering comfort, or correcting me with gentleness. (2) Entering the Story: Silence turned words into scenes. I found myself inside the passage, not just reading but experiencing it – feeling God’s Word through the eyes of different characters. These practices transformed my relationship with God – from one-way prayers to a real, ongoing dialogue rooted in intimacy and trust.”
The biggest breakthrough came when my performance-driven, shame-bound self met Jesus. I’ve always set high standards for myself – and when I fell short, I felt deep shame and blamed myself relentlessly. I treated others the same, making relationships difficult. But over these months, God has gently shone his face upon me. In his love, I began letting go – of control, of judgment, of the need to prove myself. I’m learning to see myself and others through his eyes. I started seeing others through Christ’s compassion, and someone even noticed the change in my expression: less judgment, more gentleness. Now I no longer chase a ‘false self’ shaped by pride and pressure. After hitting so many walls trying to do it my way, I’ve chosen to walk the path God prepared. Lord, I love you – lead me on.”
“When I first joined the meditative prayer group, it felt new and refreshing. I loved being able to focus on Scripture with brothers and sisters and experience spiritual fellowship in a deeper way. Over time, I began to engage with God’s Word more personally. What used to feel like a task during solo devotions became something living and vivid – Scripture came alive with images, stories, and truths that stayed with me even after I went home. I started asking: how is God inviting me to respond? One major area God is working on in me is self-doubt. I often hesitate, overthink, delay decisions, and either rush through tasks or exhaust myself trying to get everything right, only to avoid doing it again. This pattern comes from my ‘old self,’ and I know it needs healing. Meditative prayer has become a place of rest for my soul: a quiet space where my heart is no longer cluttered, and I can simply be with God. In this stillness, I’ve begun to recognize a deeper issue: a fear of people and a lack of trust. In ministry, I used to serve quietly, drawing worth from getting things done. But over time, I grew weary, realizing I had overlooked the heart of ministry – relationships. Now, I’m learning to trust again – both others and myself. As I respond with God’s love and see myself as his vessel, I’m slowly opening: to love, to connect, to forgive – even my own weaknesses. My prayer today is this: Lord, free me from fear and self-rejection. Teach me to rest in You, rebuild trust, and walk in love – in my words, in my work, and in my relationships.”
“Meditating on Scripture with others brought a deeper touch of the Spirit than I have devotion time alone. As our pastor led us to slowly and repeatedly dwell on a passage, vivid scenes emerged – along with emotions I usually avoid: doubts about God’s love, shame over not loving him enough, even projecting false images of God based on my own assumptions. Meditation helped me see God and myself more honestly. Hearing others share their experiences also showed me how personally God speaks to each of us in our own situations, deepening my faith and awareness of His presence. Unlike the constant stream of online teachings, meditation isn’t about accumulating knowledge. A few verses can linger for days; a single Spirit-given image can carry layers of meaning. Meditation is not about more information but about depth. It is a journey of heartfelt dialogue with the Lord.”
