Invitation To Rest

Whilst sitting in a Caribou café on a Sunday evening doing homework, I overheard two college aged women talking about their faith. One said to the other “I have been so amazed at the number of people God has been laying on my heart to pray for. Let me share them with you.” “Did you write all of them down?” “Of course! And where else but in the [inaudible] journal?”

The girl went on to talk about how God was calling her to pray for strength for some and spiritual awakening for others. There I sat in awe of what I was witnessing with my ears. Here were two people sharing prayer requests that had been derived from spending time in God’s presence listening. I began to long for the days when I used to do that; to sit and rest in God’s presence just to be with God and to hear what God had to say. That’s what you do in relationships that matter. You listen to each other. I’ve known that this has been lacking from my life for a while now. It’s all too easy to sellout and reprioritize other peoples’ priorities over time spent with God. There is work to be done: papers to be written, books to read and analyze, spreadsheets to be organized, mailings to be prepared, bills to pay, sermons to create, projects to be tended to and a long list of other things that are “important.” I’m reminded of the saying that one who is too busy to pray is too busy. Or the saying that “I have so much to do today I’ll have to pray twice as long!”

Perhaps that’s why I chose to spend time talking with a couple of people after church today and going to lunch with them instead of going straight to errands and doing homework. What’s more important—relationships with people or projects?; time listening to God or fretting over the long laundry list of things to be done?

Which reminds me: I need to do laundry tonight.

Processing, A Prayer and A Conversation

I've been pretty sad lately thinking about having to leave all these amazing people I've come to love and enjoy working with, but I'm also scared that this might be the best
that somehow now it's time to be tested for how much good I've received
that there's this expectation of hitting a home run all the time.

To that God says NO.

You live each day with me in my love and together we'll work through it and figure out how best to deliver my love to people. We're a team remember?? You and us. Four persons are better than one. Why would I reduce my love and providence for you just because life is changing? You forget that time is in MY hands; that I AM your God and not the other way around.

But I'm so scared.

And yet my perfect love casts out all fear. My prized possession, why would I care for you so tenderly and well all year only to abandon you? My love--that's who/what you are to me--I could no more divide myself in half or cut off a part of me than leave you behind or cast you aside or sever you from me. My love is who I AM and who you are.
So you see, you and I are one--always and into enternity. For my love is Christ in you.
I know it hurts. Remember I can feel what you feel. Healing will come....I promise you that. In the meantime, we walk through the pain together--you and us. That's what communion is about; sharing life and breath in the joy and sorrow--always together.