Opening reflection
Revelation 2:29. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Each of us is made in the Creator’s image and has ears to listen. God is active in the world, and the Spirit speaks. We are invited to listen with our own ears and be moved by what the Spirit is saying to our communities.
When we listen to others who are also listening to the Spirit, we often learn to see something from a different perspective. We are enriched by listening to others who also listen to the Spirit.
None of us individually is big enough to receive and understand the whole of what the Spirit says. Together, we can help each other hear more of Gods message. God has made us for each other and to answer the call to listen, as in all things, we need each other.
In some ways, we need those who are different from us the most, because they offer new perspectives to us. Getting to know people who are different from us through traveling to, living with, and doing mission work in new communities is one way to enlarge our perspectives.
From daily meditations- chosen and read by Mary W.
“Consciousness is the subtle and all-embracing mystery within and between everything. It is like the air we breathe. Consciousness is not the seeing, but that which sees me seeing. It is not the knower, but that which knows that I am knowing. It is not the observer, but that which underlies and observes me observing. ” — Richard Rohr
Observing the ducks swimming in the marsh pond, I realize my presence at the water’s edge agitates them. They begin to quack, chatter, louder, louder, until I move on. And it begins again. I see ones or pairs silently, serenely, glide along the reeds. A few steps later, I see the dozens gathered in more open water chasing, being chased, squawking, flying off, splash landing. I am reminded by virtue of our presence here, we all have impact on one another, intended or not. I am reminded, too, to be conscious of offering a presence that bears good will, and not ill. I open to knowing that I too am observed, as part of it all. I walk the trail, batting the mosquitoes, as ducks swim in parallel, awaiting the mosquitoes as their feast.
Photo and reflection by Amy W.
Today I was overcome with many strong emotions. Walking quickly along the edge of the in coming tide brought me all I needed at that time. The energy of the sea renewed me. The footprints in the sand coming and going reminded me we just come and go in this life.. Thoughts renewed and dreams stoked by the sea’s freedom, filled me with gratitude and hope. Excitement about the upcoming celebration of the birthday of someone I love, Jesus, dispelled the anger and fatigue of the world of late.
Photo and reflection by Mary W.
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