Sabbath Rest: Holy Fire

Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-14 (JPS Translation)

Jeremiah 29:4-7 (JPS) Thus said the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, to the whole community which I exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon: "Build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there, do not decrease. And seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the Lord in its behalf; for in its prosperity you shall prosper."

Jeremiah 29:10-14 (JPS) For thus said the Lord: "When Babylon's seventy years are over, I will take note of you, and I will fulfill to you My promise of favor-to bring you back to this place. For I am mindful of the plans I have made concerning you" declares the Lord, "plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a hopeful future. When you call Me, and come and pray to Me, I will give heed to you. You will search Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly. I will be at hand for you" declares the Lord, "and I will restore your fortunes. And I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places to which I have banished you" declares the Lord, "and I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you."

Monday, January 2, 2012

Holy Fire

It was New Year's Eve. We were in worship to share with the Lord the things we would prefer not to bring into the new year and also the promises of the year to come. We submitted these to Holy Fire that they might be consumed and the smoke rise to the Lord as a pleasing aroma. I love this service. It is for me a time to share with others how God can be a Holy Fire in our lives, purifying us for God's holy purpose. As we exit the well lit and warm sanctuary and walk out into the dark of the night we see this blaze of light and the darkness is diminished. The warmth of the fire beckons us. There is such freedom in watching what has been corroding our souls be turned to ash. The lightness of the conversation that follows is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in these moments. Community gathered and sharing in the hopes and visions for God's future with us. Voices clear and bright singing together as we end the night.

In these simple moments of surrender God does such powerful work in our lives. Often we do not even know the work that He has begun and will bring to completion. We just know the glow of the firelight, the warmth of community, and the joy of a celebration. And so the year ends. I always marvel at the wonder of God's grace in the year that was. I see His mighty power and glory in the work that is done in and through those I serve. Each year I schedule and plan and execute the plans I have made and then witness to God's movement in those schedules and plans as they are transformed by God through the servants He brings into the work with me. When I hold the schedules and plans loosely so that God is truly in control, transformation happens. Learning to hold loosely is a lesson in surrender. My prayer for this year is that my surrender allows joy, allows love, allows God to use me in transformative ways with those I am called to serve.

One of Many