Just one spiritual practice is foundational to all others. It sounds like hyperbole, but I’m not exaggerating the importance of this key attribute. I’m also not alone in saying that the lack of this activity is the ministry-destroying crack in the foundation of many a leader. What practice am I talking about? It is the essential practice of contemplation. This article is the first in a series on the three key attributes of godly leaders: Contemplation, Conviction and Courage. Read on to discover what contemplation is, how to do it, and why it’s so vitally important for you as a growing leader.

What is Contemplation?

I struggled to come up with a word for the array of behaviours that fall under the category of contemplation. Christian meditation, reading the Bible, “quiet time”, and even Bible journaling are all habits that can be contemplative. What I want to dig into with this is the essential core of contemplation. It’s not primarily about specific acts that we perform, but rather an openness of the heart to hear from God. My favourite way of describing it is this:

Contemplation is looking into the deep things of God, as a way of life.

Gospel women

This open-ended description means many different spiritual practices could be described as contemplation. A common one many people enjoy occasionally is retreating into nature to be with God. I am blessed to live near a riverside nature reserve where I walk often. Down a secluded trail is my favourite place to sit at sunrise. Just listening to the lap of waves on the shore restores my soul. In my happy place I have discovered how to simply enjoy God’s presence, and received much-needed insights over the years. This is one way I enter contemplation, but believe it or not, it’s not one that I prioritise as a recommendation. Why? The most important spiritual practices are ones that we can do every day. So how do we enter God’s presence when we can’t go into nature?

How to Contemplate…Wherever You Are

“…he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…” (Matthew 14:23 NRSVUE)

The main elements of contemplation are a peaceful environment, a little time and an openness to God. It’s as simple as that. Jesus frequently withdrew to be alone in nature. He also told his disciples to withdraw to a private room to pray (Matthew 6:6). By clearing away distractions and giving the Lord a little of your time, you will find yourself free to experience God. That could take place simply sitting in an armchair in a room with the door shut. Many women enjoy what is known as quiet time, and make a habit of it each day. This is a worthy practice, and need not be a rigid time or activity. As long as our practice has an openness to God, the Lord will use our time with him to bring about needed insight.

What are some ways that you can practice contemplation?

• Read scripture and reflect on what you have read
• Take a walk while considering God and his ways
• Journal about God’s word, or his revelations to you (more on that here)
• Create art to honour God
• Have a cup of tea with God…yes, that’s a real thing!
• Leave “listening gaps” in your prayer
• Lie awake in the middle of the night, talking to God and listening
• Or, name your own activity…

The Ultimate Purpose of Contemplation

You are likely doing some of these already. What elevates these practices to contemplation is when you take them seriously. If you make an intentional practice, you are welcoming God to speak into your life. It is also important to look for new ways to expand your contemplative practice so it continues to be a refreshing and vibrant way of life. Contemplation is a high form of worship, and it leads us to a deep relationship to Christ.

 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death.
(Philippians 3:10 NRSVUE)

This verse in Philippians has been my guide for years. I had a deep hunger for God that was rewarded after praying and meditating on this passage regularly for days. Even though I had always known logically that Jesus is the “author and finisher of my faith”, my Saviour, my King, and high priest in heaven, the spiritual reality of what it means to know Christ opened up through reflection on these words. If you also long to know Christ more, seek him with all your heart. Think of his words, his ways and the profound truths that scripture reveals to you. Dwell on these deep things of God as a way of life, and you will come to a faith that is unshakeable.

A True Leader Keeps Going Deeper

Spending time going deeper with God is relaxing, intuitive and enjoyable. It’s a mystery to me why I avoided it for so many years. I can only conclude that in the rush of life, it just didn’t seem as important as “getting things done.” Eventually, I discovered that contemplation is not a pleasant side activity, but the one essential activity that fuels the life of a Gospel Woman. It’s amazing how God uses our contemplative time to open up new opportunities.

In one of my contemplative moments the Lord showed me an image of a hummingbird skimming the surface of water with its beak. I had no idea a hummingbird could do that. Later in the day I discovered the significance of this picture. I received an email invitation to a book launch; the book was called Going Deeper to Go Further. When I opened the link and saw the cover image, I knew immediately I needed to be present at that book launch…even though I was extremely busy at the time! You can see below that the book cover shows a hummingbird skimming the water.

Your Sound Leadership is Needed Now

This book has opened up to me how critical it is for Christian leaders, both women and men, to pursue spiritual maturity. As churches in many nations struggle to grow, and suffer under increased scandals, we must look within and take a reality check on our spiritual practices. As we women step more actively into leadership roles, we need to bear in mind how important it is to keep our ears, eyes and hearts open to the call of the Lord, every day. If we contemplate deeply into God’s heart as a way of life, we will grow into the leaders the church needs today, more than ever.

Below is an interview with Keith Farmer, the author of this treasure of a book. I hope you will get your hands on a copy, and enjoy the wisdom shared within. I will keep recommending it, as the Lord has recommended it to me, and that means it’s important!

To read more about the key attributes of godly leaders, you can find the first article in the series here.

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