Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere

Lectio Divina is an ancient method of reading and meditating on Scripture, intended to deepen one’s connection with God. Guthrie discusses how this practice involves multiple readings of the same biblical passage, each time focusing on different aspects and allowing for moments of silent reflection. This method is highlighted as a way to better hear and understand God’s voice in everyday life. In Mostly What God Does, Guthrie demonstrates how Lectio Divina can transform one’s approach to scripture from a routine activity to a spiritual experience. By slowly and contemplatively engaging with the text, believers can uncover deeper meanings and apply them to their personal lives. This practice is intended to encourage a dynamic interaction with the Bible, fostering a more intimate and responsive relationship with God.

Mercy is the compassionate treatment of those in distress, which is a key aspect of God’s character as depicted by Guthrie. In Mostly What God Does, the book emphasizes the role of mercy in personal relationships and spiritual growth. Understanding mercy is intended to help individuals appreciate its significance in fostering forgiveness and compassion in their own lives. Guthrie portrays mercy as a divine attribute that believers are called to emulate, showing compassion and forgiveness even when it is undeserved. Through her personal anecdotes and scriptural examples, she illustrates how mercy can heal relationships and bring peace to both the giver and receiver. Guthrie encourages readers to practice mercy in their daily interactions, reflecting God’s love and compassion in a tangible way.

Presence refers to being fully aware and engaged in the current moment to experience God’s proximity. In Mostly What God Does, Guthrie draws parallels between divine presence and human mindfulness, suggesting that being present is crucial to experiencing and acknowledging God’s influence in one’s life. Guthrie emphasizes that God is always present, but humans often miss His influence because they are not fully attentive. By cultivating mindfulness and being present, believers can tune into the subtle ways God communicates and supports them. This concept, Guthrie suggests, is essential for understanding how to live a spiritually fulfilling life, as it encourages individuals to slow down, observe, and appreciate the divine in everyday moments. Guthrie uses personal anecdotes and scriptural references to illustrate how practicing presence can deepen one’s spiritual awareness and connection with God.

Redemption is the process of being saved from sin, error, or evil, and is a key concept in Guthrie’s narrative. In Mostly What God Does, Guthrie shares personal stories of hardship and explains how these experiences, though painful, brought her closer to understanding and accepting God’s will. She illustrates how moments of redemption have played a pivotal role in her faith journey, highlighting the transformative power of grace and the possibility of new beginnings. Redemption involves recognizing one’s faults and turning towards God’s mercy and forgiveness, which leads to spiritual renewal and growth. Guthrie emphasizes that redemption is not just about being saved from past mistakes but also about embracing a new path forward, guided by divine grace. This concept is intended to help people to see their own challenges as potential catalysts for spiritual transformation and encourages them to seek redemption through faith and perseverance.