I have recently reconnected with a person from my past and it is an awakening of my spirit. I have the opportunity through the lens of my friend to revisit what I believe in and what makes it authentic. How do I see God? What does Jesus represent to me? Where is my faith in light of doctrines and church obedience? As I walk this journey I am steeped in governance in ministry and a course called, "Confessing Our Faith". The "our" of this course is The United Church of Canada (UCC). An inclusive, pluralistic and progressive organization which is reaching into the 21st century world. The UCC is a place were everyone can come to the table and sup. Sharing in the bread and the wine is a way of sharing common roots and understanding the good news of our gospel with others who may find God in an other way. Does it really matter how we get there as long as we better understand what it is that we are seeking? My friend and a woman I greatly respect, Gretta Vosper, has shed a light on this thinking even while placing herself in danger. She has relinquished the title, "God" because she wants us to understand the weight this title carries. In the USA it is printed on their money, "In God we trust" but in what God, whose God and by what definition are we to know this trust is authentic?
My journey has only yet begun. Although I have been on it for a long time, 50 years or so, I realize I am always at the beginning. I cannot ever move beyond the beginning because as I realize more and more about what I believe, what I stand for, how I live my life it feels like a fresh start yet again and I walk it with wide eyed innocence.
Matthew 26:40-41 says, "Jesus
returned to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter,
"couldn't you stay awake with me for even an hour? Be on guard, and
pray that you may not undergo trial. The spirit is willing, but the body
is weak." Jesus asks us to stay awake and prepare ourselves for the
world. We never know when we will be on trial for what it is we stand
for, trust and believe. When we anchor ourselves in our beliefs and
know what it is we truly believe we can then withstand what Jesus did.
That is the point of the resurrection in my heart, he stood for what he
believed and it was raised up after humanity killed him for it. He stood for something so much greater than we can ever conceive, but we can stay awake and welcome the spirit that takes us on this wonderful journey and exploration.
These pictures are ones I took while studying and exploring the island of Java. My journey has only begun, where are you on yours?
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