original story of call to communion

It came quiet at first, the whisper of God’s voice, “Come away my beloved,” and I sensed the desire to go deeper. After school, I would often escape to the creek on the west side of our property to wash away the grime and confusion of high school. I called it my trysting place…a place of meeting and loving God. Nothing in those years came easy, but the running water over the cement blocks was the reminder that there was a deeper stream, more important message to live for than collecting boyfriends like charms on a bracelet.



I had watched my mother’s prayer life from a distance and got in the middle of intercessory sessions with my aunts. They warmed me and I leaned in like a camper toward a campfire. God always answered right there, comforting with His presence and then later gifting them with amazing stories of His miraculous work.


Later as I grew up in my evangelical church, I got truly confused. The altar calls drew us in for salvation and then full-time ministry. That was Sunday morning. That was it.  The understanding I began to receive was that I was saved in order to serve. Period. The whole Westminister Chatechism I had memorized years earlier in Sunday school that our purpose in life was “to love God and enjoy Him forever,” did not seem to fit the worldview of my new church. I became a worldclass fruit chaser. Winning souls and ministry in the church became my focus and though I still felt the call to be with God and listen to His Voice, I didn’t know how that fit into this vision of Christianity. It felt too slow in this fast-paced sales evangelism world.


Then in college I came upon an ancient strain of Christianity, the Eastern Orthodox, and was mesmerized. The purpose of life, the Eastern Orthodox said, was to be in communion with God. In light of a hunger for union, all matters of legalism quickly melted away. The question of morality then becomes not, “will this action break a law,” but, “ will it break our communion?”

gratitude

I'm learning to be more aware of His Presence who is always close.  I am learning to trust His timing.  I am learning that I am complete through union with Christ (Galatians 2:10) and do not have to keep accumulating things, people and accomplishments in order to have worth.  I am learning that I only need to write when it is coming out of His Presence...no more chasing after fruit...only God. I repent of rancid fruit that has come from another source.

I have learned so many things this year and have been doing/leading a 16 week course on inner healing written by Terry Wardle of Ashland Seminary in Ohio.  Powerful stuff.  I feel like I have a front row seat for Isaiah 61 work: freeing captives and setting prisoners free. 

I'm linking to A Holy Experience and her gratitude community.

polished red toenails
daffodils pushing up through snow
the flash of learning in my son's eyes
xavi dancing with Madeline on the kitchen floor
warring in prayer this morning with my sisters
bean plants six inches high
Enough manna for today
Journey women pushing up through fear
Holy Week opportunities to preach
Grace in Andrew's goodnight kiss

we're home!

The Myers/Gross family

"I am the true Vine and my Father is the Gardener.  ...if a (wo)man remains in me and I in her, she will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."  John 15:1,5

We're back and I'm pretty sure Jesus got his spectacular wine from this region!  The chianti at Le Sorgenti was amazing and we were surrounded by vines climbing the hilly tuscan region everywhere we went.  There was little time for contemplation but I amassed lots of images to bring home and take luxurious visual baths in. 

This week, I have tucked in.  We were exhausted from some of the most difficult travel we have had since I was a teenager.  The kids were spectacular but we have mined every moment while home for relaxation and extra naps.  I've gone to sleep before 9 pm most evenings.  For years, this type of tucking in was not acceptable to me.  I had to run every waking moment and pursue perfection.  I'm learning that the branch doesn't do much work but settles down into God, spending time with Him.  The branch connects, becomes infused and obeys.

More about Italy in the next days...enjoy your Sabbath!