Without rainboots
adults walk
in broad streets
when sidewalks
turn into
lakes.
Without a companion
an umbrella remains
tucked underarm
when carrying
two bags
home.
Without a hood
glasses glisten
with diamonds
when rain
fills the
horizon.
Sometimes we see only what others have constructed and then in our minds, our hivemind constructs an explanation. Caution is required. Our interpretation of what they have done may not be right.
Usually co-brooding produces the most negative explanations. Goodwill evaporates across the distance and the borders.
A counsellor shared with me years ago that children are incredibly perceptive; they pick up the cues indicating something is going on relationally in the family or in the room. However, children are usually terrible interpreters of what has happened.
In these days of Covid, of distance, and the speed with which we see what others have constructed or written, we are all children. We are quick to perceive, but we are terrible at interpreting. Then, from the distance, sure of ourselves, we strap on our armour, take up our swords sure that annihilation of the other is the only answer.
This is an old problem. In Joshua 22, when the Eastern Tribes returned home after battling alongside the rest of the tribes of Israel under Joshua’s leadership, they constructed a massive and imposing altar alongside the border on the Israelite side near the Jordan river. When the rest of tribes heard of this altar they assumed the worst, idolatry and treason against the Lord, strapped on their swords and issued a call for war.
Fortunately leaders were sent to Reuben, God and the half-tribe of Manasseh ahead of the hastily formed army to launch an inquiry and seek an explanation of the altar. War was averted. An acceptable explanation was heard. The altar was built with the future generations in mind. The altar was a reminder and a prompt meant to affirm their connection to the LORD and to the other tribes.
Devastation was averted and the altar was given a name: A Witness Between Us–that the LORD is God.
Through the years I have found this story very helpful. The people I have served alongside and been in the same family with have done their own thing. I have too. Their actions seemed strange to me. On the “other side of the Jordan” we each are left wondering what the other is up to. Often we each have our good reasons. But across the space I am astonished at how quickly trust and good will evaporates. The stories we construct in our heads and with our co-brooders need to be tested.
Whether its a Tweet or an absence, an off-hand comment, or a transition in their lives, my internal narratives must be tested. I have found its good to keep assuming good-will and “the best” unless it has been sufficiently explored with “the others.” James said, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19).
Our digital lives seem to shrink the physical distances marked out across the globe. Yet, phones attached to our hands, social media and zoom have not improved the quality of our internal narratives. These narratives still need to be sifted. People still need to be given the benefit of doubt. This kind of move requires humility, time, kindness and gentleness. Paul put it this way, “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)
The Lord is near.
Heavenly Father,
It’s December in Vancouver. As the darkness of longer nights envelops us we keep the lights on longer. Fortunately the light of your love never goes out, but we would have been blind to it, except for the grace of faith in Jesus — the Light of the World. By this grace you have included us in your communion — the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you!
For each one of us there have been messengers of your grace who provided us with clues to your goodness and who have announced your good news. Thank you for these friends of yours who have treated us according to your own faithful love.
We were soul sick with an incurable disease. But you have provided the balm that heals us.
We were soul weary weighed down by idols received with false promises.
But you have provided our deliverance.
We were drained of all joy but you have set before us the joyful reality of your Kingdom. But your Holy Spirit keeps pouring your love into our lives.
Praise be to you, the Lover and Shepherd of our Souls!
We lift up to you the many who accompany us through life in this city but do not know your Son. Oh Lord we desire that you would be born in them. Bring them to the faith that trusts You and is eternal life.
We lift up to you the people of Princeton, Merritt, and Abbotsford who have experienced the devastation of flooding. We lift up to you the people of States and Towns in the US who have experienced the devastation of the Tornados. Please grant them peace over the anxiety that accompanies these disasters. Please let them feel loved not forgotten, cared for not abandoned. Comfort those who have lost loved ones and have felt their worlds shaken.
We lift up to you our brothers and sisters working in this City and across the globe. May their worship of you be accompanied by complete surrender to you. Grant them wisdom to serve people and steward your gifts through their work. May your goodness saturate their workplaces and amplify your abundant blessings for all.
Oh Lord Come. Come Lord Jesus Come.
(Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer.)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
God doesn’t just give people a front row seat to His work; He calls us into participation with Him.
Read Luke 1:26-38
26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
When God reveals and calls, prayer can be a conversation with many movements. Like Mary we may move through fear/agitation, and inquiry/dialogue, before we get to relinquishment/alignment.
Mary is agitated by Gabriel’s greeting. vs. 29
Mary inquires, “How will this be?” vs. 34
Mary aligns herself with God; “I am the Lord’s servant. Mary your word to me be fulfilled.”
Others have been through these movements as well. Daniel, Moses, Gideon, Zechariah, even Jesus. Like Zechariah we may need months to get there. Like Mary we may “get there” quickly.
Notice how the movement in prayer is towards “Yes Lord, may your Word be fulfilled.” However, the “movement” is not necessarily about resolution but is instead about relationship: being with God.
Explore this movement in prayer further.
Heavenly Father,
You have brought us into your communion — the communion of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We praise you for this grace. You have brought us from the darkness and into your light. Now may you enlighten our minds. Now May your word give light to our paths.
Praise you! Our souls glorify You; You are magnificent! You delivered us from slavery and into freedom from sin at such great cost. Thank you for loving us. Thank you for taking up flesh. Thank you for laying down your life for us at the cross. Oh Jesus we glorify you!
Our senses we so numb — we did not know were slaves to sin till the good news quickened our conscience and we grieved the death we could not shake off. Now you are making us new creations. Now our trust is in you. Now we have a hunger for your Word and a desire to do your will.
Come Lord Jesus. Have mercy on us. Grant us the joy of your salvation and lead us in how to live in view of your great promises: we must live as you lived.
Heavenly Father, we are concerned — for the tasks we have taken up weigh on us. Help us with our studies. This world you have made is so beautiful! There’s more to it than facts and figures — yet there are a lot of those to learn! Help us develop the skills to steward what you have entrusted to us, help us develop the character needed for courageous love.
Lord we lift up people whose dignity and glory as dearly loved and precious creations of God has been forgotten. We lift up people on the journey for refuge from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Syria. Please send your kindness to these dear people and free them from hate and despair.
A generation is rising up that desires morality but is not sure yet of the One from whom it proceeds. Oh, Lord grow this desire. Let your peace reign so we would all walk in the joy of your love and delight. Reveal Yourself to them in the night and in the day ‘till hearts are softened and the Holy Spirit has His way.
(Please join me in the Lord’s Prayer.)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one;
for yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
Amen.