Read slowly, pausing as needed…
In 1 Samuel 16:7, God tells his prophet Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Later in Acts 15:8, as non-Jewish followers of Jesus begin to receive the Holy Spirit, Peter proclaims “God, who knows the heart, shows he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.” We believe God doesn’t just “look into” our hearts. He knows our hearts already. As those made in His image, we are aware of hearts and emotions, though we cannot know the hearts of others as He can. In moments like this one, we slow down to become aware of our own hearts in His presence, as it’s the only human heart He enables us to know fully. Knowing our own heart prepares us to share our hearts in reciprocal relationships as those made in His Triune image.
With this in mind, I want to invite you to close your eyes for a moment (or at least, stop looking around as you read these words). Take a deep, slow breath and allow the room around you to fade away. Acknowledge intrusive thoughts as they come, and set them aside for later. With your eyes closed, imagine yourself surrounded by a small forest of full, green, leafy trees. Pay attention to the stillness, the quiet, and how refreshing it is just to breathe deep in this space. You are surrounded by life.
As you imagine the trees surrounding you, you begin to notice there are 6 trees, almost in a circle surrounding you. Many smaller trees and shrubs fill in, but you begin to notice these trees seem to hold a special invitation by God for you to approach and consider. These are the 6 primary emotions we often feel, and each is capable of helping us reflect the image of God in a unique way. In these moments we will listen to the heart of God, who knows our hearts, and allow Him to guide our awareness.
The first tree you notice near you, is the tree of Fear. Where have you felt afraid in the past week? What has made you experience anxiety, or feel rejected by others? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Lord, we confess that we are sometimes afraid. We do not live in perfect trust with you, and the feeling of fear helps us to become aware of where we can turn to You in new ways. Calm our fears, Jesus. We are thankful for your presence even when we are afraid.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
The next tree you notice near you, is the tree of Happiness. Where have you felt happy in the past week? What has made you experience being proud, joyful, or optimistic? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Lord, we are thankful for those moments our happiness comes from those things which delight you. We confess sometimes we seek happiness in ways that are not of you. Holy Spirit, make us more aware of our happiness, and may we experience the sources of Your Joy.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
The next tree nearby is the tree of Anger. Where have you felt angry in the past week? What has made you experience feeling hurt, or threatened by others? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Lord, we confess that we sometimes feel angry. Your Word offers guidance, ‘In your anger, do not sin.’ We ask that you would guide us to understand how our anger reveals opportunities for growth and healing sourced in Your Holy Spirit this week. Set us free from any chains of anger still holding us, and bring your healing even now, Jesus.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
As you look around the trees, you notice the next one is labeled Disgust. Where have you felt disgust this past week? What has made you experience disappointment, disapproval, or the desire to avoid others? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Lord Jesus, you experienced the disgust of injustice. You experienced the disappointments of human misunderstandings or stubbornness. Fill us with your patient compassion even now, for a world and a humanity wounded by sin. We are thankful for how our disgust can make us aware of where You invite us to grow.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
Now take a deep breath. We only have two more trees. Notice God is smiling as you spend time walking with Him, aware of these trees together.
The next tree God draws your attention to, is a tree marked Sadness. Where have you felt sad this past week? What has made you experience loneliness, despair, or even guilt? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Father, we know your heart is tender, as we confess the tenderness of our own hearts before You. We know you wept in Your sadness, and you invite us to come near to you even now, entering Your comforting embrace. Bring healing where our hearts hurt. Help us to always be honest with our sadness, even as You show us the hope of your eternal healing, where sorrowful tears will be no more.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
Finally, we see the 6th tree of our short hike, one labeled Surprise. Where have you felt surprised this past week? What has made you experience confusion, amazement, or being startled? Ask God to make you aware of how these feelings have been present. (Pause as God guides, before continuing.) “Lord Jesus, we are thankful for the process of learning to trust You through the unknowns. Just as Your disciples, we follow You while only seeing what is necessary to take each new step forward. Make us humbly aware of how Your surprise reveals the whimsical joy of our loving creator this week. As we walk side by side with you, startle us with revelations of Your goodness and Love.” (Take a deep, slow breath before continuing.)
“And now, Father – Son – and Holy Spirit, as we open our eyes and the trees begin to fade – help us to continue seeing with Your heart-centered vision. Reveal to us how each new feeling invites us to know ourselves as You know us, and Love us. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
words from wick 