My desires, God’s dreams

Scripture

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the LORD… (Jer. 29:11-13)

A rich young man asked Jesus, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ (Mk 10:17-31)

Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.” (Lk 10:25-28)

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

    • Introduce the topic

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: To be open to God’s spirit in helping us discover and live out our personal vocation.

Use the grace or the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer, or use the one below:

Loving God, tonight we are going to explore the vocation questions. Help us to discover your plan for each one of us. As you have said, “For surely I know the plans I have for you….plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Help us to be open to your spirit in guiding our conversation tonight. Amen.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

    • What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed: CLC journal booklet, instrumental music, candle


Introduction

The heart of our CLC is to help one another discover and live out our personal vocation. Tonight, let’s explore and discuss these questions. Explain to members what you are about to do: explore my desires and God's dream.


Exercise 1: My Desires (15 min.)

Suggested questions to pray and discuss

        1. What do you really want to do with your life? In “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver. She ended her poem with this question, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” How would you answer this question?
        2. What questions do you have regarding to vocation and discernment?


Exercise 2: "God’s Dream for Me" Meditation (Part 1) (30 min.)

(note: Read slowly and prayerfully.)

    • Sit in an upright position and close your eyes; relax but stay focused; do not fall asleep. Take a deep breath and relax..….Breathe deeply in...and breathe out. Relax. Again, Breathe in slowly...and breathe out. Be aware of your breathing… With each breath, slowly fill your lungs completely and then slowly exhale. Notice your breathing becoming slower, more gentle...feel any part of your body that is tense...Relax ...Let go of all that tension…(pause for 10 seconds)


    • Now I invite you to take a journey with me…...Don’t pay attention to the details or debate about the facts……Just relax and let your imagination and God’s spirit guide you……Imagine you go back to the time 9 months and 10 days before you were born….. You are in the heart and mind of God. And God wants to create you…..(pause)


    • God breathes into you and you are conceived by your parents….God feels so excited to create you as your parents were excited to be pregnant. God wonders what you will become as your parents wonder…..God has hopes and dreams for you as your parents do ….God nourishes and cares for you in your mom’s womb….And the final day arrives …..after 9 months and 10 days, you are born…..God is so thrilled. God shares in your parents’ joy. (pause)


    • God continues to care for and nourish you ….entrusting you with gifts and talents….providing you with resources and opportunities to grow and become a person God dreams you to be…..And God watches you grow. (pause)


    • God wonders what kind of person you are becoming…..what you are going to do with your life….with your gifts and talents…..God wonders about your hopes and dreams…..your desires and passions…… what you are in love with….what seizes your imagination….what gets you out of bed in the morning…..what breaks your heart….what amazes you with joy and gratitude. (pause)


    • And the person you are now….stay with your thoughts and feelings. Talk with God about your thoughts and feelings for a few minutes…..(pause for 2 minutes)…


    • Whenever you’re ready you can open your eyes.


After guided meditation, invite members (leaders as well) to pray with the suggested questions below. Give them 5-7 minutes to do so. Then, invite them to share and discuss.


Suggested questions to pray and share

    1. What were some of your thoughts and feelings which occurred during the meditation?
    2. Are there any questions that come to your mind right now?
    3. Have you ever wondered why God created you? for what purpose?


Listening Deeper

    • What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?
    • How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comforted? Anxious? Curious?
    • Is there anything you would like to share after having heard other people share?

IV. Moving Forward (5 min.)

  • Wrap-Up: Thank members for their openness and participation.
  • Action: Invite members to pray with the Ignatian Meditation, “God’s dream for me” (part 2) during the week. The meditation can be found in their CLC journal booklets on page 40. And share with your prayer partner about it.
  • Announcements: Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Invite members to pray for one another… One suggestion: to pray for the person on his/her left. You (coordinator) may begin to set the tone.