Contemplate Your Choices

Jesus says to the disciples: “Everything I learned from God, I have shared with you.  You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.”

John 15:15-16

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• In this passage by the Gospel Writer called John, from the section sometimes titled, “No Greater Love,” Jesus explains to the disciples that they have the spiritual understanding to share what he has taught them. So, now they must use their wisdom to compassionately teach others, just as Jesus has done.
• This mystical passage further suggests that Jesus has nearly completed his lifetime’s soulwork, to fully express his divine essence as the Christ, his truest, anointed self. Jesus wants his work to continue and has chosen these disciples to fulfill the mission.
• In addition, Jesus specifies that the disciples’ efforts be fruitful and serve others’ wellbeing. These good works are meant to create a network of compassionate spiritual leadership that extends into communities far and wide.
• You are meant to unfold your soul in ways that are fruitful—encouraging, healthy, productive—for you and at least one other person. You’re meant to gain self-awareness and wisdom through contemplation and learning, and to use that inner wisdom, your intuition, to guide you.
• You, too, can be a disciple, a student of life. Your soul can move toward oneness (unity) with God (Higher Power, Divine Life Energy, Supreme Being) through its experiences. Or it can view what occurs as trials and punishments, making you a victim of circumstances, rather than an empowered spiritual being overcoming human challenges.
• Martha Smock, long-time editor of Daily Word acknowledges that “sometimes the choice of the soul seems a more demanding one than any you could consciously make yourself.” And while you may feel limited or inadequate in your humanness, your “soul chooses largely because it knows that [the] Christ has chosen it and appointed it to go forth.” She encourages you that “no matter what experiences you have to meet, you are more than equal to them in your divine nature.  . . .  [The] Christ [the same anointed essence that was in Jesus] in you makes you more than conqueror in all things.”
• Demonstration is your evidence of how well you live your life. You are free to choose how you’ll behave and what you’ll do, even when you don’t like your choices. Through contemplation, you can quiet your mind and harness the inner power to assess what’s before you.  As you reflect on your choices, you can gain a 360-degree perspective, directing your intentions and energy in ways that not only grow your soul, but also bring wellbeing to you and others.

Contemplation Questions:

As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:

• When I quiet my mind, what choices do I see before me?
  • Without censoring yourself, list, word map, or illustrate all choices you see, even if you don’t like some of them.

• When I contemplate all these choices, which
  • reinforce any negative, unhealthy behaviors/situations in my life?
    • List, word map, or illustrate the unhealthy.
  • support greater soul development and positive, healthy (fruitful) growth?
    • List, word map, or illustrate the healthy.

• Of the healthy choices before me, which resonate most my with my soul?
  • List, word map, or illustrate the resonance.

• What are at least three (3) ways I can implement my best choices?
  • List, word map, or illustrate all you imagine.

Use this devotional whenever you’re at a crossroad, feel a soul nudge to deepen your spiritual maturity, or just want to contemplate your future.  Take your time and be gentle with yourself.  The past got you where you are, but it isn’t your whole story.  Begin a new chapter by looking down the road as far as you can.  Trust your intuition and your Christ self, your true nature, to lead the way.

© 2024 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.

Photo from Shutterstock by Denis Belitsky.