In December, after selling our home of 13 years in June, and moving into a temporary location for four months, we finally moved into our new home. We have some acreage, and one of the things I have wanted to do for about four years is to build a prayer labyrinth on the property. My friend, Linda Knebel, introduced me and took me to walk a prayer labyrinth almost five years ago and I fell in love with this way to connect with God.
What is a prayer labyrinth? How does it work? Here is a basic explanation:
A prayer labyrinth is a simple tool to help you slow down, focus on what is going on INSIDE, surrender and listen for God's voice.
A labyrinth, unlike a maze where you can get lost or stuck in the process, provides one way in to the center and one way out. As you walk inward, you simple empty yourself. Surrender can mean turning over anxiety, grief, sin, anger, fear...anything that is making your heart heavy. Any burden you are shouldering is to be released as you journey inward. Once in the center, as you visualize perhaps being at the foot of the cross, you continue to empty yourself until you feel you have nothing left to leave there. Now, the good part. You retrace your steps out of the labyrinth and JUST LISTEN. Your mind cleared, you are open to God's wisdom.
Many friends I have taken to walk a prayer labyrinth have been a bit leery at first. If this is a new experience for you, embrace the feeling of discomfort and surrender that as well. It is hard for many of us to slow down, sit still and to quiet the chaos in our head, much less to surrender it! The movement and rhythm of walking toward the center, for some, satisfies the need for "doing" and helps them focus on their thoughts because their body is in motion. Without exception, everyone that I have shared the concept of the labyrinth with has left feeling much more peaceful that when they entered.
Labyrinths have been built all over the world and many are open to the public. If you would like to try walking a labyrinth, I have posted a link that will help you see where one is located in your area.
http://labyrinthlocator.com/
It is also fun to find and walk labyrinths as you travel. Keep this in mind as you access the link above and are contemplating any upcoming travel plans.
Life's journey is not always an easy one. There are rocky times, there are fertile timesand there are quiet (what I like to call boring) times. I am grateful that I have been shown the beauty of the prayer labyrinth for each of these seasons of life and now have one to share with others.
I encourage you to seek out a labyrinth in your area and slow down, be still and listen for that quiet small voice that so easily gets lost in today's hustle and bustle of life. It is an intentional decision to slow down and look inward. It's even a little scary sometimes, but it's worth it!
I would love to hear from others about their experiences in walking a labyrinth!
