Not Just a Visualization Exercise
First things first. This exercise is far more than visualization. It is a spiritual exercise that is filled with scripture, reflection, discernment, and praise.
Devote yourself to this exercise and it can transform your faith. Do it often enough and it can become a spiritual habit you look forward to each day.
It is inspiring, encouraging, and sometimes convicting. Do it right and it can guide the rest of your day.
The Visualization Morning Ritual
Phase 1: Start by sitting quietly before God
Sit comfortably but upright. Close your eyes. Visualize you are sitting before God. Think of the verse, “Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Do not say anything. Simply sit before God.
Some people understand God is everywhere (also scriptural). They do not have difficulty visualizing God in the environment they are in. So they do very little visualization.
I prefer to see myself sitting before the throne of God. Read the images of God’s throne in the Bible. Then visualize yourself sitting within those images. I like this approach as it leads perfectly into the next phase.
Phase 2: Visualize joining with the heavenly hosts in praise of God
Revelation 4:8 records one of the songs sung before the throne.
“Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”
Sing those words, openly or in your mind, over and over. Imagine you are joining the heavenly hosts as they sing those lines over and over, day and night. Spend a minute or two doing this.
There are other songs recorded in scripture. Pick one and allow that to be your visualization mantra in the phase.
Phase 3: Visualize God examining you
Several places in the Psalms, the psalmist calls for God to examine him (Psalm 26:2 is a good one).
See yourself sitting before God as you did in Phase 1, moving to praise as you did in Phase 2, and then seeing God’s eyes turn to you to examine you heart and mind.
I find value in visualizing God examining my whole body, head to toe. Then seeing deep within my soul and mind.
It is not a perception of watching God examine you. Rather the feeling of being examined. You know God sees your heart. You know God sees your sin. You know God sees sin you are not even aware of.
The point is to sit before God allowing God’s truth to peer into your soul. No hiding (as if you can).
Phase 4: Visualize God filling your heart
Jesus taught that if you love God and keep his commandments, God and Jesus will dwell within you (John 14:23).
Visualize God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit filling your soul.
Phase 5: Visualize sharing the Light with others
God dwells within you not so that you can run around feeling good about yourself. God fills you with his Spirit so you can share it with others.
Jesus taught that you have received freely and should give freely (Matthew 10:5-8). This includes God’s gift to you.
Jesus also taught that you are the light of the world and are to let you light shine (Matthew 5:13-16).
See the light of Christ, that you have just envisioned filling you, shining about you so that everyone you encounter today can be blessed. Visualize your co-workers, family, friends, strangers at the store, anyone and everyone you encounter being blessed by the free gift of God’s power and presence within you.
Phase 6: Finally, end this time with a prayer of gratitude
Don’t ask for anything. Just tell God thank you for reminding you today that He is always with you (Matthew 28:20).
You can complete this exercise in as little as three minutes or in as much time as you are willing to commit to it.
I recommend two minutes per phase for the first five phases. This way the exercise takes less than ten minutes. You can give ten minutes to God for sure.
You should try this exercise. It is very worthwhile. I always come away with the abiding presence of God.
