We have been experiencing with in our congregation a flood of forgiveness. It has been a time filled with honesty as we share with each other our journey. There has been sorrow, and joy, in amazing volumes. Those involved have been those who have been willing to be open. Open to the possible rejection or ridicule of others, but willing all the same to find the fullness of Christ. The rewards have been great. I know that there are some who are confused by what is happening , distrustful, questioning the motivations and sincerity of it all. They have been confused by the 'dance'. The joy that has been expressed in the movement of the Spirit.
Yesterday at church a picture of our good friend Len was put up on the screen. It has been more than a year since he was killed in an accident. He was a simple man who exuded joy wherever he went and we miss him. I can't help thinking how much he would have loved what is happening here now. He would have been giving loud 'amens' from the stage as he danced and played for the Lord. Street church would be just the best thing for him to display his special gifts. He may not be with us but in his absence we have all become like him. Makes me laugh.
There was a time in my life that I prayed to be ordinary. There was too much happening that put me in the spotlight. It was uncomfortable and there was only shame in it. He was faithful and brought me through. It is said that those who have been forgiven much have more to give back, to God and to others. 'She loves much, because she has been forgiven much.'
'All heavy laden, acquianted with sorrow.
may Christ in our marrow carry us home.
From alabaster come blessings of laughter.
A fragrance of Passion, Joy from the Truth.
Grant the unbroken tears everflowing.
From hearts of contrition only for you.
May sin never hold true,
That love never broke through.
For God's mercy holds us, we are His own.
This road that we travel
May it be the straight and narrow
God give us peace and grace from you
All the day through. Shelter with fire
Our voices we raise still higher.
God give us peace and grace from you.
All the day through.'
Jars of Clay
It is with humbleness that I approach the throne of Christ, but approach it I do. It is there in the arms of Christ that I am filled with the strength, love , joy and peace to carry on in this world. It strikes me that I am an ordinary woman on an extraordinary journey. My hope for all of us is that we could be more like Len was. Just ordinary, simple people on an extraordinary road of faith. Building comunity and learing to live the life of Christ in this world.
2 comments:
len... still miss him so much.
profound how his picture came to mind, and then on the screen, during the song, "what if god was one of us, just a slob like one of us". len was one of the last true childlike people. he was christlike, but never knew it. his legend seems to build in my life and in the life of so many.
i remember when we pulled the plug at the hospital. there was only two of us there. it was all so surreal, such exhuberence snuffed out. the len i knew had left, but the love continued to grow.
... someday.
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