Writing our faith

 

During the month of May, we are letting our shy souls get a word in edgewise; we are listening to our life, we are rewinding and reviewing the “mixed tape” that has served as the soundtrack of life up to this moment.  So far, we have reflected on who God is, who we are, and today I want to invite you to reflect on the soul…the “you” you sometimes hide because you are not sure that the world will accept you.

Here is a deep truth…everyone is fighting a battle right now you know nothing about.  Your doctor has something that feels difficult and demanding…the clerk at the grocery story is grieving…the person in the pew next to you yesterday who said she was doing, “Fine,” has a struggle that simmers in her soul.  Everyone is fighting a battle right now physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally, or all the above. 

On the last night of his life, Jesus said, ‘I will not leave you orphaned (isolated and alone), but will give you the gift of the Spirit ~ the Advocate ~ the one who is on your side.”  The Spirit is the still small voice that says your first, middle, and last name is, “Beloved”.  Not because of what you do or produce or how busy you are…but because God’s love is.  Period. 

There is tension in this, because part of us wants to believe and live in a world where love makes those battles easier or erases them entirely…please!!  Today, I want you to pay attention to both your battles and beloved-ness.  I believe the two are connected.  We are invited to name where it hurts…also ask for help.  Where does stress or suffering swirl in your mind, cause your heart to race, or your gut to do gymnastics?  Name and notice this, try to describe and define the ache.  Second, what would help look like, feel like, sound or even taste like?  This is prayer…when our deepest hurts reach out to the One who longs to help.  Note: this is not a magic genie.  Just because I want to reconcile with that person, doesn’t mean the phone will ring right now.  When we begin to shine a light on our ache, rather than push it down into the corner of the cellar of our soul, just naming the hurt can help.  Naming alone doesn’t resolve or dissolve our pains, but I find the more honest I am, the more I can be open to how God does show up disguised as my life.  So maybe the phone isn’t ringing right now, but I might send a text to open the conversation.  Maybe the text doesn’t get answered immediately, but a few months (or years) from now I find myself in the same room with that person.  Remember nothing separates us from God’s love.  Today, let your faith hold the good, the bad, and the ugly of life…because God loves us fully ~ even the “you” you hide.  Amen.