Cultivate Peace

Silence, Be Still and Know

April 15, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 46:10

As our Lenten Journey comes to an end on Good Friday, we bring our awareness of connecting with God through silence. Have you ever experienced God at the very ground of your being? Today we invite you to answer God's invitation to: "Be still and know..."

Day 32: Humble

April 14, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • John 13:14–17

A Trappist monk once said: Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real. There is nothing that is more disarming than being in the presence of someone who is humble. Jesus approaches us with divine humility in exchange for our pride. We invite you today to open your heart to being filled with the gift of Jesus' humility.

Day 31: Light of the World

April 13, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • John 8:12

Ancient scripture in the book of John shares: "In Jesus was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Today in our meditation, we invite you to open your spiritual imagination to ponder and visualize Jesus' divine light.

Day 30: Life Abundant

April 12, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • John 10:10

Jesus, in the Gospel of John, shares, "I came that you may have life and have it abundantly." In our seasons of monotony or stress, our life feels anything but abundant. What do you turn to when everything seems to be lackluster or lacking? Can Jesus' claims be trustworthy and true? Today in our meditation, we sit with Jesus offering us life and life abundant which can be found in his presence.

Day 29: The Way

April 11, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • John 14:6

J.R.R.Tolkien in The Lord Of The Rings wrote, "Not all who wander are lost." This quote assumes that there is a Divine purpose to our wandering. Jesus in John 14:6 shares that he is the way, the truth, and the life. His way is infinite because he has no selfish desires and, therefore can be present with us in every moment. Today in our meditation, at the start of Holy Week, we open our hearts to Jesus guiding us towards the way.

Day 28: Ahava, Love

April 8, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Zephaniah 3:17

Inherent in our nature is a desire to be seen, loved, and known. However, in a world where there is so much brokenness, our tender hearts become cold and calloused. In the movie Frozen, we see an act of true, sacrificial love thawing a frozen heart. Have you sat with a divine love that revitalizes not only your heart but the very depths of your being? Ancient scripture in Zephaniah 3 shares, "God will take delight in you with gladness. With divine love, God will calm all your fears. God rejoices over you with joyful songs." Today in our meditation, we invite you to sit with God's divine love.

Day 27: Hesed, Lovingkindness

April 7, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 86:5–7

In a culture that elevates self-love above all else, what happens when we're hurt by someone's self-interest? How do we reconcile hurting others in the midst of chasing after our desires? The path of Jesus defines love as patient and kind, an action that always projects and is not self-seeking or easily angered. Have you experienced this type of divine lovingkindness? Today in our meditation, we will sit with God's divine lovingkindness, referred to as Hesed in scripture.

Day 26: Salach, Forgiving

April 6, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 86:5–7

Forgiveness is an important spiritual practice. It grows us in compassion for ourselves and others. However, to forgive someone that has hurt us without an apology is nearly impossible to do. And yet, forgiveness teaches us to look outside of ourselves which frees our minds from repeating hurtful narratives. Today in our meditation, we turn our attention toward God's narrative of forgiveness. What is it to sit with and experience a type of forgiveness that is always extended towards us for us to receive? How does that shape and change us?

Day 25: Tov, Good

April 5, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 86:5–7

In a culture of subjectivity where we say to one another, "you do you, and I'll do me," how do we define what is good? What are the characteristics of someone who is good? The Hebrew scriptures of the Bible describe God as tov, which means good. Scripture says: "You, Adonai, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for lovingkindness. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me." In today's meditation, we will sit with the goodness of God and give our mind, body, and spirit an opportunity to receive God's goodness.

Day 24: Adonai, Lord

April 4, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 86:5–7

Experiencing a season of lacking direction can be one of the most frustrating and disheartening experiences. All spiritualities seek to address our desire to find our way in life. In seasons where you find yourself needing help, where do you turn? Today in our mediation, we approach God as Adonai, which means Lord. A Psalmist in the Bible writes: "You, Adonai, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me."

Day 23: Yahweh Shalom, Be my Peace

April 1, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Isaiah 26:3

Our minds are connected to the experience of peace. Although we can't control our circumstances, we can control what our mind dwells on in those circumstances. Have you ever considered that what you dwell on can lead you to peace or anxiety? Ancient scripture in Isaiah 26:3 says: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you." Today in our meditation we approach God as Yahweh Shalom, to receive the perfect peace that God provides.

Day 22: Yahweh M'Kaddesh, Be my Sanctification

March 31, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Exodus 31:13

All spiritualities embody a sanctification process of being set apart and purified for a divine purpose. Today we approach Yahweh M'Kaddesh in our meditation with thanksgiving, acknowledging that it is God who draws us near and sanctifies us from within.

Day 21: Yahweh Rapha, Be my Healer

March 30, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Exodus 15:26

Have you ever considered that your body holds and carries your story? How do we build better body empathy? Today we will partake in a 12-minute body scan meditation and invite God's presence, Yahweh Rapha, to be our Healer.

Day 20: Yahweh Rohi, Be my Shepherd

March 29, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Psalm 23:1

A shepherd's primary responsibility is the safety and welfare of its flock. In ancient scripture, a king describes God as his shepherd. He writes in Psalm 23: Yahweh Rohi is my shepherd. I lack nothing. You make me lie down in green pastures, lead me beside quiet waters, and refresh my soul. Today's meditation will use our spiritual imagination to visualize being protected, provided for, and carried by God as our shepherd.

Day 19: Yahweh Nissi, Be my Banner

March 28, 2022 • Rev. Aaron Bjerke • Exodus 17:15

Everyone is fighting their own battle. Who or what do you turn to as your source of strength when you feel fatigued or frustrated? Today in our meditation, we invite you to open your heart to God's faithfulness, love, mercy, and forgiveness to hold as your banner. In your moments of struggle, we invite you to breathe and repeat the sacred word of the day: Yahweh Nissi, Be my Banner.

The Well Church in The City of New York

Art of Being meditations