Are you looking to reinvent yourself?

A recent article in The Atlantic was entitled ‘What to read if you want to reinvent yourself’, and for a day or two, it was the most popular piece on The Atlantic’s website. It appears that many people want to change themselves and their lives. I suppose this is cause for both optimism and sadness. It’s good that people want to improve themselves, but it is poignant that so many are dissatisfied with how they are.

As a Christian …

I find the Bible to be the most mind-blowing book, and it provides me with constant food for thought and habit-challenging ideas. Of course, if you approach it as a dry history book or literary study, its effects are limited. But, if read in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, the Bible holds the power for reinvention, particularly to make us more Christlike.

So, how is this done, and where should you begin? If you want to experience the bible’s life-changing power, can I suggest you try Ignatian Prayer? This is a historical method of meditation that uses bible stories and prayerful imagination. I have written a guide to Ignatian prayer here. Once you’ve glanced at that and are ready to begin with Ignatian prayer, please pop back here.

We aren’t the first to desire and experience God’s life-changing power, and the Bible contains many stories of people who underwent profound transformations. I have found it hugely beneficial to immerse myself in these people’s lives using the Ignatian Prayer method. As I do so, I hope I become more Christlike, and I pray you find these passages and stories helpful, too.

Bible readings to use with the Ignatian Prayer method

Zaccheus: Luke 19: 2-10

Peter: Luke 22: 54-62 and John 21: 1-19

Bartimaeus: Mark 10: 46-52

The Woman at the Well: John 4: 4-30, 39-42

Joseph: Genesis 37, 39 – 45 (the story stretches over several chapters, so feel free to read it in parts)

Gideon:  Judges 6 – 8

If you can recommend additional passages and people, please leave a note in the comments so other readers can benefit. Many thanks.

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DislocatedChristians exists to create and support a community of like-minded people. I’ve described myself as Dislocated because I sometimes struggle to understand how God wants me to be in the world, but not of the world. I also move house a lot!

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