Through the alchemy of God's presence and loving-kindness, (his redemptive activity in the world), THIS circumstance and even my very human response to it is somehow, mysteriously, exactly what I need to experience.
THIS is revelation, guide post, open door. More often than not I experience THIS as disappointing, dull, revealing only limitation and injustice -- a reason to despair.
As a consequence, I look away. I don't give the new moment the attention that it deserves. I turn instead to my dream, the fantasy in my head. Imagining a future that is preferable to the new mercies of this moment.
The good gift that God would give is missed. I walk right past it, lost in my thoughts. But God's love and humility is boundless. He gathers up his bag of mercy and liberating revelations and runs ahead of me, placing them in my path, eager to see my face when I stumble across the next new moment.
Every once in a while I wake up and notice the more, the bigger story of which I am privileged to be a part. Beauty in brokenness, joy in sorrow, a moment of wonder and delight.
I am awestruckdumb by the humble and relentless God revealed in Jesus.
Who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God as something to be used for his own advantage, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
To embrace THIS just as Jesus did, THIS as exactly what I need, leads me into the eternal present which is the divine presence. It keeps me open, responsive, willing to engage. Only when I am awake, aware, and vulnerable to the gift of life, only then do I have ears to hear the still small voice, and eyes to see what God is up to, so that I can join him in what he is doing, and importantly, in a manner like unto his own.
This is happening; and it is exactly what I need. Consenting to this reality is my way into Presence, from which discernment and courage, humility and love naturally emerge.
THIS is revelation, guide post, open door. More often than not I experience THIS as disappointing, dull, revealing only limitation and injustice -- a reason to despair.
As a consequence, I look away. I don't give the new moment the attention that it deserves. I turn instead to my dream, the fantasy in my head. Imagining a future that is preferable to the new mercies of this moment.
The good gift that God would give is missed. I walk right past it, lost in my thoughts. But God's love and humility is boundless. He gathers up his bag of mercy and liberating revelations and runs ahead of me, placing them in my path, eager to see my face when I stumble across the next new moment.
Every once in a while I wake up and notice the more, the bigger story of which I am privileged to be a part. Beauty in brokenness, joy in sorrow, a moment of wonder and delight.
I am awestruckdumb by the humble and relentless God revealed in Jesus.
Who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God as something to be used for his own advantage, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
To embrace THIS just as Jesus did, THIS as exactly what I need, leads me into the eternal present which is the divine presence. It keeps me open, responsive, willing to engage. Only when I am awake, aware, and vulnerable to the gift of life, only then do I have ears to hear the still small voice, and eyes to see what God is up to, so that I can join him in what he is doing, and importantly, in a manner like unto his own.
This is happening; and it is exactly what I need. Consenting to this reality is my way into Presence, from which discernment and courage, humility and love naturally emerge.