Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7
Happy are those who trust in the LORD, who rely on the LORD.
Thought for the Day: One of my favorite authors is Barbara Brown Taylor. In her book, An Altar in the World, Brown writes:
What is saving my life now is the conviction that there is no spiritual treasure to be found apart from the bodily experiences of human life on earth. My life depends on engaging the most ordinary physical activities with the most exquisite attention I can give them. My life depends on ignoring all touted distinctions between the secular and the sacred, the physical and the spiritual, the body and the soul. What is saving my life now is becoming more fully human, trusting that there is no way to God apart from real life in the real world.
Those are some challenging words, and may even cause some discomfort among some. One thing I draw from her words is the importance of true integration. I don’t need to go anywhere or be in some special place or mindset to meet the Holy Other. Much of Christian thought and interpretation of scripture was driven by Greek philosophy which was based on either-or — everything has an opposite. But if we claim God’s presence in all time and space, how do we argue that is more present in one place or time than another. Maybe we have created symbols and markers that entice our spiritual awareness in places like sanctuaries, but has our relegation of God to such places kept us from experiencing more of the fullness of God in other places.
When Jeremiah says that those who trust and rely upon God are happy, I believe he is suggesting that happiness is found in those who trust in the existence, living-presence and active movement of God – in both the sacred and the secular, touching us as whole human beings (mind, body and spirit). At some point today, think about the least likely place you might encounter God. If you can, go there – pray – see what happens.
Prayer: Wherever I am, there you are, O Gracious God. Whether I have seen you or named you, I trust that you were and are there. May my trust grow into an awareness. This is my prayerful request in the name of Jesus. Amen.
YOGA CLASS
TODAY – TUESDAY
2nd Floor of the Youth Building
9:30am
