Journey

The Heart That Seeks…

At the beginning of the second chapter of the Book of the prophet Isaiah, it is written that the people of all nations shall strive together toward the house of the Lord, saying:

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that we may be instructed in God’s ways,
and we may walk in God’s paths.” (verse 3)

In the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 24, verses 37-44, in speaking to the disciples about being prepared for the day of the Lord, Jesus says,

“Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left” (verses 40-41).

On the surface, to the human eye, or mind, there is no discernible difference between the one who is taken and the one who is left in this passage. And, in the end, only God truly knows.

However, Jesus seems to be making the point that it does not matter what one does. It does not matter whether one “falls in line” (or out), but rather the reason for doing so, or not, is what matters. That is, what is in one’s heart? What is one preparing, or preparing for? And, who is really being served, and how so?

Returning to the prophet Isaiah, it is clear, many nations and many people. Also, many are the ways and the paths of God. Again, only God truly knows. Yet, while the exact time and place, and what lies ahead, may be a mystery, the heart that seeks is always connected, helping one to be awake to the pulse of the Spirit.

There is no need to look for God here or there. He is no farther away than the door of your own heart. – Meister Eckhart

RiseUp

Jesus said to his disciples:
“As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” – Matthew 24:37-44

Each Other’s Worth…

Earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to visit an old friend whom I had not seen in some time. As we spoke and caught up with each other, we also reminisced. Then, at the end of our time together, with a mutual sense of joy and good will, we parted ways, looking forward to the next time.

Thinking back on the occasion, in the course of calling to mind and sharing our experiences of various situations, some similar, some not, more than anything, the Spirit stemming from our common ground, the essence of God within each of us, is what shaped and formed our time, making it special… enflaming peace and joy within.

In Scripture, it is written in more than one verse… in more than one book, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” The poet, Robert Southey, wrote, “No distance of place or lapse of time can lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded of each other’s worth.” Each other’s worth…

It is interesting how over time, as we get to know people better and allow ourselves to search for, and strive to reach the place of common ground, it is easier to see and to connect, or re-connect, with the goodness in them, as well as within oneself, and to value each other. It is also interesting how, in some situations, it is much more challenging to connect with or to be open to continuing to look for that goodness when it may not be immediately apparent, or soon after approaching. It can be tempting to choose avoidance or to altogether close the door. However, we are often called to something higher than that. We are often called to keep looking, trusting in the value that God brings to the picture. And… we are called to let God be the judge.

Leaves

In the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 23:39-43, it is written:

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
“Are you not the Christ?
Save yourself and us.”
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
“Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal.”
Then he said,
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
He replied to him,
“Amen, I say to you,
today you will be with me in Paradise.”        

Ahead of the Game…

It seems that often, so much emphasis is placed on coming up with strategies to conquer whatever may be deemed as standing in the way of the accomplishment of goals. Yet, sometimes… actually all the time, the best way to prepare, is not to outright plan, but rather to develop an approach that is True, then trust… believe… and cling to it, come what may.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives. – Luke 21:14-19   

SunOfJustice

But for you who revere my name, there will arise
the sun of justice with its healing rays. – Malachi 3:20A

All in…

“Wherever… thou shalt be, pray secretly within thyself. If thou shalt be far from a house of prayer, give not thyself trouble to seek for one, for thou thyself art a sanctuary designed for prayer. If thou shalt be in bed, or in any other place, pray there; thy temple is there.” – Bernard of Clairvaux

GodOfAll

With the onset of colder temperatures and more leaves on the ground than above, the evergreens across the way, always steady and true, remain. Just the same, living in a world with so much turmoil and strife… in a time and place where heads or tails, or the flip of a coin, seems to hold more weight than what is good, and right, and just, the goodness of God, always steady and true, remains.

For as the coin, tossed high in the air, flips and flops, often turning one end over the other, retains its value and essence, regardless of which side lands face up, so too each life as we live and breathe and move from one thing to another—day to day and year to year. God’s allegiance to all creation is undying.

“and God is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to God all are alive.” – Luke 20:38

Place allegiance with God, first and foremost, remembering there is but one God, one Creator, who inspires all that is good, steady, and true.

Coming Up Hearts…

Over the past few days, gusts of wind have relieved the trees of so many of their leaves. Yet there remains a branch, looking more like a vine, swaying in the wind, holding tight onto its leaves. While the branch seems unremarkable, lacking in the kind of color that captures one’s eye, the leaves are yellow, bringing brightness and light to an otherwise dreary backdrop.

As the wind carries on, and various other leaves fall from the trees, blown every which way, the branch and its yellow leaves remain together. No matter how hard the wind seems to try to strip them away, or apart from each other, through periods of rain and strong winds, it is not happening. They seem determined to stick together as they weather the storm, perhaps just as they did before it arrived. It is as if this branch and its heart-shaped leaves are thoroughly convinced and committed to one another, regardless of all that is, and has been, swirling around them, knowing that, come what may, Love that is true always prevails.

Hanging

Before the Lord the whole universe is as a grain from a balance
or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.
But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;
and you overlook people’s sins that they may repent.
For you love all things that are
and loathe nothing that you have made;
for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.
And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;
or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?
But you spare all things, because they are yours,
O Lord and lover of souls,
for your imperishable spirit is in all things!
Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,
warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,
that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O Lord!

– Wisdom 11:22-12:2

It’s Still Water…

Although we had come expecting to see a variety of colors, bright and beautiful, as in other spots around the water, what we came upon was much more subtle, but also bright and beautiful.

Standing at the water’s edge, initially, the stillness and clarity of the pond was so peaceful, drawing us closer, putting us in awe. Looking further out, ripples seemed to suddenly appear, although given the gentle, steady breeze, they were likely there all along, only becoming more prominent as one’s glance stretched past the calmness of the water that was closest by. Beyond the trembles, across, to the other side of the pond was more stillness. It was in the trees of mostly green, and further, the sky also steady and calm. Taken altogether, perhaps making a ripple sandwich. Oftentimes, the uneven spots are gently held between, or surrounded by, the ones that carry peace.

Rejoice

Let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord and the Lord’s strength, constantly seek the Lord’s face. – Psalm 105:3-4

A Banner Time…

A few weeks ago, my daughter had an assignment in a design class to create a folder using images with which one might identify. Between discussion around the project and looking through some photographs from a recent trip to Walden Pond and the surrounding area, memories of creating banners and posters at various points throughout my childhood and in the ensuing years come to mind. One of the earliest memories is as a young Sunday school student finding joy in seeing all the banners made by different classrooms of students. The banners made with colors and using images that each class collectively picked were hung up around the church.  They were simply displayed, in the spirit of sharing so that everyone was free to receive them in whatever way they might.

In chapter 17 of the Book of Exodus, after Amelek has been defeated, it is written that Moses created an altar to the Lord, naming it Yahweh-nissi or “The Lord is my banner.” (Exodus 17:15). Victory had been achieved through the Lord, with Moses holding the staff of God raised up in his hands.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are provided for; their needs do not go unmet. In times of trouble, it is never God who strays, but rather the people. There is example upon example of those who persist in identifying with, and embracing, the Lord as their banner. Ultimately, though different people and various kinds of situations are involved, each one always seems to arrive at a place where all things come together, reminding them, reminding us, that God is greater than any one story or situation could capture. Also calling us to remember, faithfulness to God is achieved in countless ways, even when others do not, or cannot, see it.

Given the task of creating a banner to be raised up and shared, what would it look like? In what ways would God be reflected in it? In my words and actions, how do I pay homage to who I am, who I was created to be, and “Take up the banner of the Lord! (Ex 17:16)”?

Thoreau

Beloved:
Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,
because you know from whom you learned it,
and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,
which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God
and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,
and for training in righteousness,
so that one who belongs to God may be competent,
equipped for every good work.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who will judge the living and the dead,
and by his appearing and his kingly power:
proclaim the word;
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. – 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Be the spirit that is willing to be true…

To one side of the landscape there was mostly a wall of green, and then what seemed like a path of orange with some red extending upward and to the right, as if to say, come along this way.

In the second letter to Timothy, Paul writes, “I remind you, stir into flame the gift of God…” (2 Timothy 1:6). Paul is in prison, and Timothy, to whom he has been a mentor, must proceed in the work he has been called to do, namely evangelizing. However, rather than just telling Timothy what he needs to do, Paul first calls on him to remember the truth.

“For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control…” – v. 7

This is a call to action that encourages Timothy, and encourages us, to carry on with integrity, and in a manner that is befitting one created in the image of God. If Timothy were to look around to see what others were doing, or to focus on the fact that Paul has been imprisoned for his Spirit driven efforts (which go against the grain of the majority and popular opinion) perhaps he would stop and turn the other way. In fact, it would be likely that he would move away from taking an approach that is first and foremost, faithful to God, and instead be lead toward fulfilling earthly ambitions or needs, thus compromising, or at the expense of, the fulfillment of his heavenly call.

This would be sad… tragic and a monumental loss. However, with God there is always more than one chance to do the right thing. More than one chance to make truly life giving choices and to live the life that God dreams for us. The life that we see as having ups and downs through trials and tribulations, but that becomes even keeled when we face them, inspired and moved into action by the Spirit of God, bringing a sense of peace in each and every thing.

For the vision is a witness for the appointed time,
a testimony to the end; it will not disappoint.
If it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late. – Habakkuk 2:3

With a willing spirit, and through the grace of God, each leaf turns in time, regardless of its surroundings.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. – Psalm 95

StirIntoFlame

Beloved:
I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.
For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control.
So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;
but bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me,
in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit
that dwells within us. – 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

Blown by the Wind…

As the waves rose to the height of their ascent, each carried a line of mist as the force of the wind surfed across the top. Water and wind driving against each other, competing, wave after wave. Which would win? … As if only one could.

Be driven, not aimless, or as if by wind.
Be driven, not reckless… ruthless, or by tide.
Be driven, not fearful… anxious, or by mind.
Be driven by heart, soul, and Spirit combined.

WindBlown

Jesus said to the Pharisees:
“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen
and dined sumptuously each day.
And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps
that fell from the rich man’s table.
Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.
When the poor man died,
he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.
The rich man also died and was buried,
and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,
he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off
and Lazarus at his side.
And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me.
Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,
for I am suffering torment in these flames.’
Abraham replied,
‘My child, remember that you received
what was good during your lifetime
while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;
but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.
Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established
to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go
from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’
He said, ‘Then I beg you, father,
send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers,
so that he may warn them,
lest they too come to this place of torment.’
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets.
Let them listen to them.’
He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham,
but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,
neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'” – Luke 16:19-31

An Homage…

Heading toward Boston, a favorite moment, for as long as I can recall, has been the moment at which the Rainbow Swash by Corita Kent, spread across a large gas tank, comes into view to the right of the highway. In my youth, I remember staring out the car window with anticipation, looking forward to seeing the splash of colors. I was too young to be aware of any controversy that may have swirled around those colors and that design.

Now much older, still, no matter the time of year… no matter the weather of a particular day, those stretches of color always seem so bright, jumping out as if for joy. So alive. Too alive to be held back or contained by a dreary backdrop of any kind.

Regardless of how something may or may not be intended, what springs up along the way can often be channeled into a source of guidance and inspiration for those following the Way. Frequently, controversy, unrest, and all that comes with it, can cause blindness to what is good, honorable, and true. Let go, and remember, nothing is beyond the grace of God.

“Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.” – Corita Kent

CoritaKentLove

God said: This is the sign of the covenant that I am making between me and you and every living creature with you for all ages to come: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. – Genesis 9:12-13