Meditative Parables: A Forty-Day Devotional of Parables

By K. D. Weaver

This devotional guide takes the reader on a forty-day journey of inner exploration through daily and nightly parables. Seekers of renewal and perspective will find gems of insight, wisdom, and awareness in a powerfully packed parable format.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Resource Publications
• Release date: Oct 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9781666784985

K. D. Weaver

K. D. Weaver is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church and the founder of the Sleeping with God Meditation Center. He is the author of Sleeping with God and Chasing Chariots.

Book preview

Preface

My appreciation for Jesus’ parables has grown over the years. His parables capture textured spiritual truths in a simple narrative or a few statements. I consider them to be truths in a bottle. The modern-day preachers, teachers, and speakers I cherish the most are powerful messengers of parables.

The meditative parables in this work come from my sermon illustrations throughout the years. No matter how well or poorly the preached moment unfolds, listeners of the message almost always remember the parable in it. My last work, Meditate Like Jesus, ends with a handful of parables. Many people wrote to me expressing how that collection of parables was one of their favorite parts of the book. So, this work is composed entirely of parables. I call them meditative to emphasize the inner work that these stories should prompt in us.

I formatted this work to be digested over a period of forty days: one parable during the day and one at night. Rereading each parable several times throughout the day and night is encouraged. There is a journal question at the end of each one. The question is intended to provoke emotional and spiritual introspection. Following this format will help you resist the temptation to read through them quickly with little afterthought or reflection. This will give time for the parables to sink into the deeper parts of the soul. Every parable is also labeled for those who would prefer to skip around.

A quick comment about vocabulary is necessary. As someone who preaches and teaches from a Christo-Hebraic perspective, I weave Hebrew and Aramaic words into my sermons and parables. Words that are worthy of note: Imma (indicating a spiritual mother), Abba (spiritual father), and Rav (great one, teacher).

If a few words from these parables stick with you and serve as a resource for your spiritual journey, then to Adonai all praise and honor is due. May they stir you to redirect, correct, or set in place that which brings forth life.

Day 1

Who Am I?

A woman goes to an elder seeking advice.

Where do I find who I am?

The elder says, Go, look in the mirror and search for who you are.

The woman goes and looks in the mirror.

She returns to the elder: The mirror showed me how I look, but not who I am.

The elder says, Go to your parents and search for who you are.

The woman visits her parents and returns to the elder: My parents showed me where I came from, but not who I am.

The elder responds, Go to the priest and search for who you are.

The woman journeys to the priest and returns to the elder: The priest told me who I should be, but not who I am.

Very good, the elder says. Now you know clearly who you are not.

Then the elder continues, You are the Selem Elohim, the image of God.

Journal Reflection: Where do you go to know or to remember who you are?

Night 1

New Believer, No Results

A new believer came to her teacher and said, I have repented and followed the commandments, but I still do not see God in my life.

The teacher said, If I told you to climb that mountain at midnight and face the east, what would you see?

Nothing.

When morning comes, what would you see? the teacher asked.

The sun.

So it is with your soul. You see nothing now because it is midnight in your heart, but stay turned toward the LORD, and his presence will come like the morning light.

Journal Reflection: In what ways are you waiting on the LORD?

Day 2

A Family of Atheists

A family of atheists sends one member out to the marketplace for food. Once he arrives, he hears someone preaching. For some reason the words of this preacher capture the man’s heart. He cannot turn away.

The man returns to the preacher day after day and week after week. Eventually, he becomes a disciple.

He goes to his family to share the good news. He begs them to come to the marketplace with him and listen. But his family is completely uninterested.

After many months of rejection and discouragement, the new believer goes to the preacher.

If only they could hear you, then they would believe. How do I get them to hear you?

The preacher says, Once you become what you are hearing, they will become what they are seeing in you.

Journal Reflection: What would you like people to see in you? Why?

Night 2

The Greatest Fisherman

A young fisherman desires to be the greatest fisherman of all time. He says, To be the greatest fisherman of all time, I must catch the biggest fish of all time.

The first day on the job, the young fisherman goes down to the shore with the intention of being the best.

He fishes all day. But the fish he