Welcome back to The Living, a podcast created to help you encounter God in your everyday life, be with Him, and find life right where you are. Today is Monday, March 16th, and this is day 27 of our Linton journey. Last week we sat with Jesus in the upper room as he defined what love really looks like. We watched him kneel and watched his disciples' feet. We heard him give the command to love one another. And we saw Peter promise loyalty only to learn that failure was coming. The disciples can now feel the weight of the moment. Something is changing. And it's into that tension Jesus speaks words that have comforted believers for centuries. Today we begin a journey into John chapter 14 through John chapter 16. But before we dive in this week to our lectio, let's simply begin this moment as we start the week with breathing. We're going to practice box breathing. And if you've never done this before, box breathing is simply taking breaths in and holding them and then exhaling and holding it out. We're going to inhale for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale for four counts, and hold for four counts. And let's remind ourselves as we're breathing in this moment, I am here, and so is God. Let's begin our breath work today. Let's take a deep breath in for four seconds. And hold and gently exhale and hold. Great work. Let's try that again. Inhale for four seconds and hold. And exhale slowly and hold. Simply allow yourself to settle in. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing. Just remind yourself that Jesus is near. Now we're ready to step into our time of lectio. As we do lectio, we walk through four movements praying the scriptures. We'll first read the text, then we'll take a moment to reflect on the text and then respond, and finally rest in the comfort of God's word. Today's scripture comes from John chapter 14, verses 1 through 3. These are some of the most comforting words Jesus ever spoke to his disciples. And they were in a time when it was hard. They were troubled. And into that, Jesus says this. On this first reading, I invite you to simply listen. Jesus says, Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My father's house has many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. Just take a moment. You believe in God, believe also in me. My father's house has many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. I wonder what part of Jesus' promise draws your attention today? As I read this passage again, I invite you to respond. Listen to the Lord's invitation for you today. You may ask, where is my heart troubled right now? What worry or uncertainty am I carrying today? Bring that place into the presence of Christ. Jesus says, Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My father's house has many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I'm going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. Take a moment and cast all of your cares on Him who cares for you. For this final reading, I invite you to simply rest in the care and in the presence of your Savior. Jesus says these words. If that were not so, would I have told you that I'm going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. Now rest in the promise of Jesus. As I was reflecting on today's passage, it's amazing. The disciples don't yet understand everything that's about to happen, but they do sense that loss is coming, confusion is rising, and they are troubled. Jesus doesn't start by explaining everything, he simply tends to their hearts. Don't let your hearts be troubled. Teaches me that faith doesn't mean we always understand what's next. But it means that we can trust the one who's with us. The same Jesus who spoke peace in that upper room is the same one who speaks peace over us today. No matter what we're going through, no matter how uncertain life may be, do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Him. Let's close with a word of prayer today. Jesus, you know the things that trouble our hearts today. Help us trust you more deeply. When uncertainty rises, remind us that you are with us and that your promises are steady. We pray this in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today, go in his presence, rest in his love. This is the living. We'll continue tomorrow.