Simply Soul Searching
HOW IS GOD LOVING ME – AND WHERE IS GOD LEADING ME?
Moving Forward: Take Responsibility
MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH #4
(WHO’S TO BLAME?)
In his book, Essentialism, Greg McKeown writes, “Only once we discern what is absolutely essential and eliminate everything else can we make our highest contribution toward the things that really matter.”1 Let’s heed his words as we continue Moving Forward in Faith. In the heartache of this pandemic, the turmoil of economic-job losses, and the violent turbulence in politics, our world desperately needs us to make all the good differences we can – but we cannot do it all.
What are the essential things we might do? Perhaps we can first eliminate the time we may spend placing blame on others. Of course, placing blame is necessary; people who cause harm or commit illegal acts must be held responsible and culpable. Justice needs to be served. Corrections must be made. Consequences must be determined. But there are qualified people whose vocation includes doing those very things.
When we desperately want to make sense of our confusion, assign responsibility for fixing the mess, and resolve all that is wrong as quickly as possible, blaming others becomes a way to remove the burden from ourselves. We relieve ourselves of any responsibility to remedy the situation by critically assigning fault to others. We have seen numerous articles, posts, and interviews in which one person or group is blaming another, or no one, or even everyone. Rarely do we hear, “This is my fault, I am sorry, and I will make amends.” (I find this difficult to do myself!)
But, back to what is essential for us as people of faith… when we consider what is faithful and essential for us to do, what might be the more fruitful action? What might be the more loving action? What is an essential and faithful responsibility we might take on?
When an issue is angering or upsetting us, the more fruitful actions would include writing letters to our political leaders, volunteering or funding agencies that work to help with the problem, and sharing our concerns about the issues with others – providing information, raising awareness, inviting others to help – more than blaming or disparaging people.
When we are grieved or hurt by the troubles impacting us, the more loving actions might be to encourage others who are feeling the same way, to help brighten spirits with words of affirmation or hope, and to foster a spirit of forgiveness for those who have been found responsible and held accountable.
Finally, as we think about our own responsibility in making the world a better place, contemplative Franciscan Richard Rohr says, “The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.”2 What we wish to see in the world, we can emulate in ourselves. We can model a better way, the way of love and hope and peace and joy. If we wish for an end to both greed and poverty, we can live more generously. If we wish for more peace and unity, we can model greater acceptance and kindness. If we hope for an end to the pandemic, we can follow the medical guidelines, protect one another, and get vaccinated. Our faithful and essential responsibility could be to live and model what we hope our world will become, to let our lives be a visible example of a better way, while we refrain from criticizing or blaming those who don’t.
“Let the improvement of yourself keep you so busy that you have no time to criticize others.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NRSV)
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Romans 12:9-21 (NRSV)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1McKeown, Greg, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. New York: Currency, 2020.
2Richard Rohr, Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality
Photo by Giulia May on Unsplash
Bible verses found at BibleGateway.com
Moving Forward: Take Time to Learn
MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH #3
(THERE IS USUALLY MORE TO THE STORY)
As we continue to move forward in faith during these troubling times, what are the issues or problems that most concern you? Could these issues actually be invitations to action? When we feel unsettled, tense, or curious about a problem, it may be that we are being compelled by the Spirit to make a difference.
The best way for us to begin working for good is to more fully understand the problem itself. When we take time to learn more about the issues we face, we gain a clearer picture of the reasons certain problems exist, we know more of their extent and magnitude, and we find more practical and useful ways to help. We can become better equipped and prepared for action, clear up our own misunderstandings, and mature and change ourselves – into persons of greater understanding, peacefulness, purpose, and clarity…
I didn’t vote for President Obama in 2008, but when he was elected, I optimistically thought, “Racism is now behind us!” Since then, I have witnessed the deep bigotry that persists and the racist systems that continue to be in place. I have also become aware of some ways that a bit of racism lingers in me. I grew up in a nearly all-white community, so I never had the privilege of knowing any black people until I went to college. I was also told some untruths about the black race by prejudiced adults outside my home (for example, one teacher told me that black people had to be slaves because God was punishing them for the sins of a son of Noah). Since then, I have grown in my understanding, awareness, and compassion for all who are oppressed. I recently learned more about racism – and how my childhood ignorance and misinformation affected me – when I read the book, How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi. Learning more about racism gave me a deeper awareness, as well as a greater desire to work for justice.
“Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted;
nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider.”1
We have biased news sources and social media so readily available these days, which can make it difficult for us to discern truthful facts or to know the whole story. Our own personal biases also get in the way, as we seek out the information that affirms the beliefs we hold, while discounting the information that might make us question our stances. When we pick and choose information according to our own beliefs, we are not seeing the whole picture. One troubling example of this is when we use a Bible verse to uphold and justify what we believe, while not knowing the rest of the context, the history of the writings, the biases of the writers, the symbolism that was used, and even how the books were selected. There is so much more to the Bible’s story and message than one or two verses.
And there is more complexity to the problems in our world than one simple answer can solve. How many posts or memes have we seen or shared that seem to solve all our problems in one concise statement? (If our earthly problems had easy answers, it seems there would be no earthly problems!) Our global, national, and even personal problems are complicated, intertwined, and not easily remedied. One solution may negatively impact another issue or create a new problem. Being aware of this may help us to be more patient and gracious as we work toward solutions, and also inspire us – individually and collectively – to take the smaller steps that can lead us toward a better future.
In my prayer time recently, these thoughts about learning came to me:
Life is a constant process of learning, and no one has all the answers except for God. The most important goal for our learning should be to increase our understanding of God’s love in the world. That is, we take steps to better understand others so we might grow in unity and acceptance; learn to rethink and reframe our political and social systems to benefit all people; strive to find the best ways to care for one another and all creation; grow in our understanding of how God moves us to love; and find the deeper meanings and better purposes of this precious life we have been given.
Today, as we move forward in faith, may we open ourselves to consider new ideas, to seek out information that will change us for the better, to be more discerning in our reading and sharing, and to discover which issues may be invitations for us to learn, understand, and then find ways to resolve them.
“Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.” ~ Vernon Howard
Psalm 32:8 (NRSV)
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Matthew 11:29 (NRSV)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
1Francis Bacon (English philosopher, statesman, scientist, jurist, orator, essayist, and author)
Photo by Laura Kapfer on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Moving Forward: Take Another Look at Ourselves
MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH #2
(WHENEVER “I WOULD NEVER…”)
When my children were small, I vowed to remain patient with their questions and encourage their curiosity. I planned to regard each of their questions as an opportunity to gently explain my reasoning, teach them something new, or explain why certain rules are in place. I felt that I would be the perfect, patient mom with their many questions – until one day when my patience was worn and I answered one of those “Why?” questions with, “Because I said so!” My reply was one I had claimed I would never use. I had felt so confident in my parenting skills that I never dreamed I would use those dismissive words I had heard other parents say.
Then there was the time my friend and I were sadly discussing the grief and trials of his divorce. I confided that my marriage was challenging at times, but determinedly added, “but I would never get divorced.” He looked at me intently and then quietly said, “Never say never, Karen.” A few years later, the “never” happened. I had thought that I could handle the conflicts and trials of relationships better than other couples. But there I was…
And several years ago, Jim and I visited our daughter in West Virginia for the first time. Driving through the hills was intimidating, and I firmly stated, “I would never want to live here.” Then our health situations changed, and we decided to move to a more central location for our family. Once we became more familiar with the area, we found we actually liked the community. With additional discernment, we soon decided that Hurricane would be the best place to make our new home.
How easily I can claim that “I would never…” while believing that I would somehow know better, do better, or find better. The proclamations we announce, the judgments we render, and the bold stands we take, can be done so readily when we have not been challenged ourselves. We feel naïvely confident about our wisdom and our ability. Then patience wanes. Situations become desperate. Circumstances change. New information comes. And we find that we are no longer so sure of our once firmly-held stances or beliefs.
Certainty often arises from naiveite. We can so easily judge another’s choices or actions when they stem from circumstances or experiences we have not faced ourselves. Though I know in my heart that some actions are clearly wrong, I can imagine that in certain extreme or dire situations I would consider doing any of them. I also need to remember that my culture, family history, experience, education, and faith, do not form the definitive basis for the beliefs or actions of others. When I begin to think I have all the answers, God kindly (and at times, painfully) shows me that I certainly don’t.
Perhaps our deepest wisdom comes when we realize our lack of wisdom. Perhaps our deepest wisdom is to refrain from believing we “would never” and to stop judging others for doing so, even when they must face the consequences for their actions. Perhaps our deepest wisdom is to live each day the best we can, and remember that others are trying to do the same – under very different circumstances.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NRSV)
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Colossians 3:12 (NRSV)
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
As we move forward in faith through these very trying times, who are the people you find most difficult to understand, the easiest to judge? Today, let’s bring these people to God in prayer. Let’s ask God to increase our understanding, compassion, and humility. Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the times when we have been not only prideful, but mistaken. Finally, let’s thank God for the one certainty we do have – that we are all God’s beloved children – and from this certainty, ask God to help us find ways to make the world a kinder and better place for everyone.
(In my Introduction, I had originally planned to call this post, “Take Stock of Ourselves” but in the writing, I found this new title to be more appropriate.)
Photo by Shalone Cason on Unsplash
Bible verses found at BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Moving Forward: Take a Step Back
MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH #1
(NURTURING OUR SOULS)
Each new year, I choose a word to serve as a guiding theme for the way I hope to live, notice, and direct my days. My word for 2021 is nurture. Initially I liked the way nurture can mean fostering our development, such as nurturing my mind or nurturing my writing skills. But perhaps because of these trying times, my body and soul have also longed to be nurtured – to be comforted, to nestle into God, to tend my health, to nourish my faith, and to help others do the same. Nurture has already served me well as a centering guide for these first weeks of the year.
As we seek to move forward in faith through some very trying times, we would be wise to first take a step back, to withdraw for quiet moments and nurture our spirits. When our world is unsettled and anxious, we can feel compelled to watch more of the news updates, to look at Facebook or Twitter for our friends’ responses (or post one of our own), or to lament and worry in our conversations with others. The problems are so distressing that we seem unable to take our focus away from them. At the end of the day, we then find that we have spent the entire day fretting or feeding our fears.
Nurture has reminded me to designate time in my day to refresh my spirit, to take a break from the ever available news or social media outlets. I am not disregarding the troubles we face, but taking a moment to replenish. I pull myself away from the mire and mess, to breathe, to pray, to clear my head, and to notice the blessings that are still all around. This quiet space helps me to consider concerns and troubles from a new, distanced, more appropriate perspective – as if I am observing them while being held by God. This space also helps me to refrain from responding in hurtful or hateful ways to the news or posts that upset me.
Some helpful practices I have found…
We can assign certain times of the day for Facebook, social media, or news, and save the other precious hours to be more present to life. It is important for us to be informed, but we do not need to be inundated. In the morning, I avoid these outside distractions until after I have journal time with God; in the evening, I step away from them and read or journal before going to bed. I try to be mindful of the precious times with loved ones, the daily sacraments of meals, or the blessings of walking outdoors, and I set aside social media or news updates so that I may be more present to the moment.
I have also changed my journal practice; I now summarize my day before going to sleep at night. This serves to close out the day, so that I might sleep better and begin anew in the morning. Then my morning journal becomes simply time with God, and I find that my thoughts are purer, less influenced by yesterday’s events. By putting yesterday in its place, I can bring a fresh, clean day to God as I listen and reflect.
We can do internet searches for Bible verses that help our specific needs. Reading them provides comfort and nourishes my soul. When we long to take a step back from our cares, we can look up Bible verses about rest, comfort, or trust. Here are some for us today…
Matthew 11:28 (NRSV)
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
1 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NRSV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NRSV)
Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—
in peace because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
for in the Lord God
you have an everlasting rock.
Nurturing our spirits with these sacred spaces is not to escape our trials but to help us address them. We cannot serve others well, we cannot make a good difference in the world, if we are not nurtured and nourished ourselves. By taking a step back from our troubles and drawing closer to God, we can look at our problems with new and hopeful perspectives. By opening ourselves through time with God, we help enable God to work for good, in us and through us. By placing our burdens into God’s perfecting hands, we can serve more freely, and maybe even joyfully.
As you move forward in faith through these trying times, how might you take a step back to nurture your soul today?
Photo by Brandon Matich on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Moving Forward in Faith (Introduction)
I have had a writing dilemma in recent weeks, from feeling no inspiration to write, to feeling as if I could spew nonstop for months. These feelings come from the difficult days we are all enduring, and as we are growing increasingly weary, frustrated, impatient, and angry. There are moments when I feel optimistic, when I feel ready to help make the world a better place in some small way. Then come the moments when I feel as if anything I can write or do would be futile, even foolish. If you can relate to these feelings, know that you are not alone.
But yesterday as I walked – feeling both provoked and stymied – I tearfully asked God to guide my writing through these political and pandemic trials. And it came to me that I should write about embracing these experiences and the feelings that arise, and to prayerfully seek the best ways to move forward with faith and integrity. I asked God for words that would be unbiased, faithful, gracious, and universal, even as I am thinking specifically of the issues currently confronting the U.S.
What should we do with our conflicting and uncomfortable feelings? Where do we go from here? How can we make progress while remaining centered in God? If you are asking these same questions, I invite you to this two-week blog series in which we consider a few steps we might take to move forward in faith:
- We take a step back. (Tuesday, January 12)
- We take stock of ourselves. (Thursday, January 14)
- We take time to learn. (Saturday, January 16)
- We take responsibility. (Tuesday, January 19)
- We take a stand. (Thursday, January 21)
- We take heart. (Saturday, January 23)
I pray that you will be comforted, renewed, encouraged, and inspired by these reflections for our turbulent times.
Peace to you all,
Karen
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash
From Now On…
(For today’s Five Minute Friday – January 8 – I am sharing a post I had recently written for the new year, as it is “timely”!)
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV)
As I reflect at year’s end and look toward the new year, the phrase, “from now on…” is blessing my thoughts. I’m noticing that this phrase may well describe the core of my faith; the hope and joy I find in the love of God. Much of what God promises, much of what Jesus has said or done, speaks to us about this time forward – how we are invited to live from now on. These words will be a centering part of my guiding theme for the new year.
This new year gives us a tangible reminder that we can begin afresh. We have a new page on the calendar, a “clean slate” to write new chapters of our life. God in Christ offers us a from now on perspective of hope and joy, by forgiving us our past mistakes, by working to make good from all our experiences, and by promising us God’s loving presence through every future day.
With this from now on idea in mind, our New Year resolutions may include some of these:
~ From now on, even if our difficult circumstances do not change, our actions and attitudes can. We can persevere with peace, we can look for ways to learn and grow, we can live our lives as examples of patience and faithful trust.
~ From now on, even if our pleasant circumstances do change, our attitudes and actions won’t need to. We can live in gratitude for what was and what is, we can keep moving forward in hope, we can live our lives as examples of joyful optimism and humble grace.
~ From now on, we can invite the wounds and hurts of our past to transform and improve us. We can regard them as part of our perfecting journey, allowing them to teach, reveal, and mature us into true and Christ-like people.
~ From now on, we can live in ways that will foster a brighter and better world, to have learned from the mistakes of our past.
~ From now on, we can live in the freedom and joy of being beloved children of God, and help others to know that they are, too.
Nearly every year, while I consider my resolutions, I include several previous ones because I have not yet been able to keep them! There have been very few resolutions that have stuck completely for life. This reveals the best part of our from now on faith in the love of God…
God gives us that promise of fresh new beginnings every single day, every single moment! The resolutions we have failed to accomplish, the promises we have failed to keep, the perspectives we have failed to maintain, are forgiven and forgotten. And if we choose, these same resolutions, promises, and perspectives are now freely offered to us as “do-overs.” God gives us infinite chances to try again.
God’s from now on is constant and eternal. Every moment with God becomes a from now on turning point. Every moment is a new opportunity to say, “From now on…”
~ From now on, we can try to live as God would have us live, trusting that when we fail, God will give us yet another from now on to begin anew.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
– Lamentations 3:21-24 (NRSV)
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6 (NRSV)
(Five Minute Friday is an online writing community. Each week, we are given a one word prompt and five minutes to write! For more posts and information, visit FMF Writing Prompt Link-up :: Time – Five Minute Friday)
Photo by ASHLEY EDWARDS on Unsplash
Bible verses copied from BibleGateway.com
Christmas Day: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY
John 1:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
AS ADVENT GIFTS BECOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Thank you for our Christmas Hope,
your Light that will outshine
the darkness that surrounds us
and enlighten heart and mind.
Thank you for our Christmas Peace.
You make your presence known,
so we can journey onward
knowing we are not alone.
Thank you for our Christmas Joy,
your gifts of truth and grace.
Help us to let your glory
shine on each and every face.
Thank you for our Christmas Love,
for coming here to be
with all of us, your children.
May we live so others see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/
Christmas Eve: Love In The Limbo
Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Luke 2:1-20 (NRSV)
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
FINDING LOVE IN ETERNAL CONNECTION
We have finally come to this precious, holy Christmas Eve, when we joyfully begin to celebrate the birth of the Christ child, God-with-us! Oh, we are richly blessed!
Even so, we remain mindful of the lingering limbo that has been with us most of the year. Our holiday celebrations may look much different, as our lives have been significantly disrupted and forever altered. Families and friends may be unable to gather together; some loved ones may no longer be with us. Even for those who have been more fortunate, sadness and grief can be found interspersed among the joy and gladness.
Can we find our Love in the Limbo on this Christmas Eve?
Tears begin to flow as I write this, but I am feeling that this Christmas will be even more significant, tender, and meaningful, because of the year we have had. Do you feel your heartache opening a deeper space within you, a holy longing for greater love to enter? Do you sense a deeper need for this Love of God in Jesus, who has come to abide with us in our limbo?
In this limbo called life, love is our sole and sacred certainty.
Love has come. Love has come from the infinite God to be with us and remain with us always. Love has come to be shared with dear ones. Love has come to be a blessing for all the world. Love has come, and Love will remain. ALWAYS. We can count on this, no matter what life brings.
Even through the pain of our struggle, the loneliness of our separation, the deep grief of our loss, love remains and continues…
~ Love extends across the miles to join us with dear ones, as we connect through video chats, phone calls, texts, cards, thoughts, and prayers.
~ Love flows on to connect us with those we do not yet know, through our gifts of charity, kindness, and generosity.
~ Love reaches into eternity to connect us with those who have gone before us, because their presence, memory, legacy, and spirit remain forever within us.
We will be always and eternally connected in a bond of everlasting love – you and I, our dear ones, those we yet consider strangers, and God in Christ Jesus.
Love surrounded Jesus even in the calamity on the night of this birth. After a long journey, giving birth in a lowly place, and then being interrupted by shepherds, Mary quietly “treasured… and pondered” in her heart of love for God and God’s son. Joseph watched over them, caring for his new family. The shepherds left their fields to come and see. Love surrounded Jesus then, and Jesus surrounds us now with that very same love.
Take a moment to close your eyes and open your heart.
Feel the loving presence of God in Christ, the baby Jesus born this night so long ago.
Feel the love proclaimed with the “good news of great joy for all the people.”
Feel the loving presence of those near to us now…
those far from us but close in heart…
those we do not yet know but are part of our worldwide community…
those who have gone ahead of us but remain a deep part of us.
Feel the unbreakable bonds of love surrounding, filling, and connecting all of us, forever.
This is the precious certainty of the abiding and eternal Love that is filling our aching emptiness, our holy longing. Perhaps especially this year, we find that our hearts can hold a greater and deeper love this Christmas…
Do you feel it?
Blessed Christmas, dear friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our reading for tomorrow, Christmas Day, will be John 1:1-14.
Photo by Amelie & Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/
Advent #11: Love In The Limbo
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22
2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 (NRSV)
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord is with you.”
But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.
Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.
FINDING LOVE IN GOD WITH US
“Are we almost there? How much longer?” We often hear these questions from restless children as we drive to a destination. But how often do we have the same questions as we go about our daily living? As we travel this path of life – hoping to reach our goals, making exciting plans, anticipating future joys, trying to fulfill our purposes – we encounter trials and challenges that delay, detour, or disrupt our hopes and dreams. This year has been filled with many roadblocks for us, and the same questions have come to mind:
“Are we almost there? How much longer?”
How does our Advent love help us to travel this ‘limbo journey’ of life?
In our passage for today, King David tells the prophet Nathan that he wants to build God a temple in which to live. His intentions seem pure; he questions why he should live in “a house of cedar while the ark of God stays in a tent.” But God reveals to Nathan that a house is not needed. In fact, God is working to make a new place, a new house – a kingdom for David and his people! God also helps Nathan understand the ways God has always moved with the people, “I have been with you wherever you went.” God’s presence has helped and protected them all along the way.
What wonderful reassurance this is for us, as we think about our own limbo-living! Today we find our Advent love in knowing that God is with us, wherever we go. As the Gospel of John tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The original Greek wording can be translated as, “God pitched his tent among us.” We have God everywhere. Our Advent love is found in God’s presence, around, among, and within us – always and forever.
“Are we almost there? How much longer?”
We do not know where our paths will lead us, but we do know that God assures us, “I’m going with you!” We do not know what our future holds, but we do know that God encourages us, “I am going ahead of you!” We do not know what obstacles we will face, but we do know that God reminds us, “I will help you!” We do not know when we will reach our final destination, but we do know that God in Christ promises us, “I am preparing a place for you!”
As we journey this limbo life in the certainty of God’s constant and eternal presence, we will no longer need to ask the question, “Are we almost there?” For as we travel along in God’s good company, we will find that we have already arrived.
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Our reading for Thursday (Christmas Eve) will be Luke 2:1-20.
Photo by Amelie & Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/
Advent #10: Love In The Limbo
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
FINDING LOVE IN LETTING IT BE
The year was 1970… I was an insecure and anxious young teen. My brother Ted brought his turntable out to the kitchen table, placed his new record album on it, and introduced us to a new song by The Beatles, “Let it Be.” My mom, sister, and I joined Ted in a quiet reverence as we heard the gentle, comforting lyrics and tune. I regard this as a holy time in my life; the music touched my soul deeply with a feeling of peaceful surrender.
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, “Let it be…”
And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, “Let it be…”
The Mother Mary in the song refers to Paul McCartney’s mother, not our beloved Mary from the passage for today. Still, the lyrics are very similar to Mary’s words to the angel of God, “Let it be with me according to your word.”
Now, fifty years later, I am often an insecure and anxious adult during this pandemic time, and perhaps you are, too. We have been enduring a time of long-lasting limbo, as we continue to wait for the Covid vaccine and a new normalcy that will return one day. But we encounter other times of limbo throughout our lives, don’t we? We may have the unsettled limbo of wondering when we will find work, what the lab tests will show, whether a loved one is safe, or when a better day will come.
Where do we find the Advent love in the limbo?
When the angel of God appeared to Mary, her life was suddenly thrown into a time of great limbo and uncertainty… What will Joseph think? Will I be okay? What about my reputation? Will people believe my story? How will I raise this child? Will I be good enough? Yet, Mary had exactly what she needed for this time; she had the certainty of God’s love. So, in trusting obedience, she gently and humbly surrendered her whole body and her whole life to God:
“Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
This is where we find our Advent love in this trying time of limbo. In our trusting certainty of God’s love, we choose to let it be. We choose to let it be with us according to God’s love for us and the world. We choose to let ourselves be in God’s good hands, and let God guide our lives, fill our hearts with love, and live in us today. Whatever is in store, whatever we may face, we humbly and fully let ourselves be God’s. We let it be with us according to God’s word – the certainty of God’s universal love, shown to us through Jesus, shining as a beacon for us all.
And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me. Shine until tomorrow…
Let it be.
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Our reading for Tuesday will be 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16.
Photo by Amelie & Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash
Bible verses taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/
The Beatles Let It Be; Released on: 1970-05-08 Producer: Phil Spector Composer Lyricist: John Lennon Composer Lyricist: Paul McCartney
Simply Soul Searching 