I offer this weekly #LetUsPray as a way to stay anchored amidst the turmoil of the day. Paid subscribers have access to liturgical resources and sermon prompts based on the week's readings from The Revised Common Lectionary and/or The Narrative Lectionary.
This week has been a wild one, mostly because my spouse and I are on a week-long, whirlwind, zig-zag, cross-country trek to see two of our kids who had the audacity to move out of state to live their lives :-)
Our New York time has been filled with good food, much laughter, and sweet conversations. The time has been good for my soul, and it has been a serious example of a life of privilege. I have been struck by how easy it has been to simply unplug from the world for these first three days. An example, again, when multiple things can be true at the same time. I don't feel shamed by this reality; rather, I am further convinced and convicted that everyone should have the opportunity and resources to take a break from the pressures of the world . . . to have a vacation that reenergizes and rejuvenates their bodies and souls.
And then on the way home (and why this post didn't get sent out on time) we spent three hours on the LaGuardia tarmac behind 55 other planes, had to return to the gate to refuel, and then got stuck overnight in Denver.
So of course, at 4:00am . . . good times.
Anyhoo . . . in this week's installment of my Faith Montage, I am reminded that the Spirit shows up in so many ways no matter what is happening in life. My time of privileged rest is not for nothing, as the Spirit is active throughout – and has provided much inspration for future Amalagmation relflection on humanity.
This week my liturgical resources focus on that silent place where we meet God, and my sermon prompt is around the Romans passage and the idea of being the "beautiful feet" of God as we engage in conversation, not conversion.
The Spirit's Delicate Dance Between Creator and Created #LetUsPray
Let us pray —
The STORIED revealing of God’s hopes and intentions is intricately woven in and through our interactions with God— a delicate conversation between Creator and created.
The Spirit moves through prayer: Not a checklist but a conversation. Not performance but release. Not to control but to relinquish. Not to manipulate but to listen. Not with words but also with words.
The Spirit moves through community: Not to demand but to discern. Not to fix but to encourage. Not to confine but to compel. Not to detach but to engage. Not to seek perfection but to love perfectly.
The Spirit moves through the Bible: Not an indifferent collection but an anthology of human experience. Not a contract to be enforced but a covenant to be honored. Not a map to be followed but an adventure to be embraced. Not a literal set of rules but evolving truths to be revealed. Not a weapon of faith but a wellspring of liberation.
The Spirit moves in the in-between: Not always knowing where but trusting God is present. Not always knowing how but trusting God is active. Not always knowing when but trusting God is near. Not always knowing why but trusting God is faithful. Not always knowing but trusting that God is.
Through these windows we meet ourselves, we meet others, our understanding of God is expanded, the movements of God are made real, and the revealed and revealing story of God is made known.
— Amen.
May we all know the Spirit whenever and wherever we need.
