daily hope
The Gift of Now
9 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Psalm 118:1 (recording quotes NIV). The linked Bible reader uses the World English Bible.
Meditation transcript
Transcript of the recording. Scripture translation labels describe the translation quoted in the audio.
0:00One of the recurring themes that we always come back to is the gift of the present moment.
0:08That might sound a little bit cheesy, but the truth is, the more time you spend with God, the more you naturally begin to appreciate the life that you have.
0:20Moving through the rest of your day, embrace thankfulness for your life as it is.
0:30Let's start by taking a few nice, deep breaths.
0:40As your breath begins to relax your body, allow your eyes to close, like the sun sets.
0:53Now take a moment to consider this verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
1:04His love endures forever.
1:15And again, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
1:23His love endures forever.
1:41Bring your attention to any tightness in the body, just noticing how the body feels.
2:01Start by relaxing the hands, letting go of any tension in the hands.
2:17Allow the arms to totally relax, letting go at the elbows and the wrists.
2:34Let the shoulders fall away from the ears.
2:46Let the legs become heavy.
2:56Allow the muscles to completely let go.
3:10Let your body totally relax and release.
3:25And now, if it feels comfortable, take a big, deep breath, letting the air fill up the body.
3:41Feel the chest rise on the inhale and fall on the exhale.
3:59Notice how the breath changes the way the body feels.
4:16And now, for a moment or two, let go of any focus, and just allow yourself to be.
4:45Now, let's take some nice, deep breaths, in through the nose, and out through the mouth, just noticing and observing the breath.
5:19Listen to the gentle sound of your breathing.
5:35Begin to notice any feelings you may have brought with you today.
5:55Thoughts are a natural part of meditation.
6:03Just leave those feelings right where they are, and then gently come back to the feeling of the breath.
6:29Long, deep inhale, then a slow controlled exhale.
6:49Allow the breath to calm the mind and relax the body.
7:09And now, allow your awareness to fall and move inward, finding that place where you feel loved.
7:33Feel that natural peace in God's presence.
7:49Remember, when you come near to God, He will come near to you.
8:11Take this verse with you.
8:15"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.
8:20His love endures forever." When it feels easy, bring your attention back to the feeling of the breath.
8:45Take a few more deep breaths and slowly allow your eyes to open.
8:54Notice how the breath changes the way you feel.
8:58I hope you feel a little more relaxed.
9:02We'll see you again tomorrow.
9:05Take care of yourself.