Reflection: Experiencing God’s Love Amid Our Pain with Ken Shigematsu
The Prayer of Examen invites us to honest reflection—naming and facing our pain, shame, and heartache. But how do we reflect in a way that is also open to God’s comfort and reassuring love?
In this episode of The Digital Examen’s five-part miniseries, host Jay Y. Kim sits down with Ken Shigematsu, author and senior pastor at Tenth Church in Vancouver, for an honest conversation about reflection, pain, and grace. Drawing from his book, Now I Become Myself, and years of pastoral experience, Shigematsu offers gentle wisdom to help us face our moments of disappointment, regret, and heartbreak and experience relief in God’s loving presence.
Together, Kim and Shigematsu explore the power of the Examen as both a daily and lifelong practice, the difference between rumination and true reflection, and imaginative ways to embrace God’s love every day. Through stories of personal setbacks, pastoral care, and the companionship of Jesus in hardship, this episode is an invitation to embrace God’s healing presence as we reflect on life’s painful moments.
For more encouragement on slowing down, paying attention, and experiencing God’s loving presence, check out Jay Y. Kim’s upcoming book, The Pace of Peace (www.ivpress.com/the-pace-of-peace), which expands on these themes and the wisdom of the Examen for our hurried lives.
This episode highlights the following themes:
✅ Welcoming God into the places of pain and regret
✅ How reflection, not rumination, leads to healing
✅ How God sees us as his beloved children
Links from this episode:
✅ Learn more about Ken Shigematsu (www.tenth.ca/ken)
✅ Read Now I Become Myself (www.amazon.com/Now-Become-Myself-Grace-Restores/dp/0310144272) by Ken Shigematsu
✅ Learn more about Tenth Church (www.tenth.ca/)
✅ Read the transcript here (drive.google.com/file/d/1UEawGo5PN2RwkRGBApw_40-zrjYcJYZq/view)
✅ Learn more about The Digital Examen (www.ivpress.com/)
✅ Learn more about your host, Jay Y. Kim (jaykimthinks.com/)
✅ Listen to Meditations from The Digital Examen (podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meditations-from-the-digital-examen/id1777487307)
✅ Download a Guide to The Examen (www.ivpress.com/Media/Default/Downloads/digital-examen-podcast/The-Examen.pdf)
Continue attuning to God’s pace by reading Jay Y. Kim’s new book, The Pace of Peace (www.ivpress.com/the-pace-of-peace). Drawing on the Prayer of Examen developed by Ignatius of Loyola as a framework for all of life, Kim guides readers through the movements of this ancient prayer practice—invitation, gratitude, reflection, confession, and looking forward—to point us toward the antidotes for the aches of our distracted age.
Credits:
✅ Special offer: Visit ivpress.com (www.ivpress.com/) and use the code IVPEXAMEN40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
✅ Consulting Producer: Helen Lee
✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo and Travis Albritton
✅ Assistant Producer: Jack Reece
✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts (honestpodcasts.com/)
✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard and Elsbette San Blas
✅ Theme Song: "For They Will Inherit the Earth" by Stephen Keech
==== Time Stamps ====
00:00 – Introduction
04:41 – About Ken Shigematsu
06:22 – Remembering the Gifts and Wounds
09:51 – The Role of Reflection in Healing
11:10 – Jesus in Our Shame and Pain
16:01 – Rumination or Reflection: Revisiting Peter’s Story
18:46 – Moving Through Trauma with God’s Presence
22:23 – Daily Practices to Experience God’s Love
25:26 – Is Suffering a Gift or an Enemy?
26:38 – Finding God in Heartbreak
30:41 – What Blocks Us from Receiving Grace?
32:31 – Embodied Grace
34:59 – Blessing for Wounded Places and Pain
Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
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