The Gift of Getting Lost

The Gift of Getting Lost...and Being Found*

                The path of life is rarely clear or straight-forward, even at the best of times. We can find ourselves lost as in a Dark Wood, unclear which direction to go, perhaps having strayed from the path we thought we were on. It is at these times that we can begin to pay more attention than we usually do to our spiritual life….to the agency of God...to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives...to the habits, attitudes, and limiting beliefs that get in the way of the sweet spots and Love’s call in our lives. The pandemic has opened an opportunity to do just that kind of reflection, decluttering, and holy listening. Yet perhaps we are looking for blatant signs when the subtle nudges of the Holy Spirit are already right there.

                What is important is that, though we may feel lost at times, God is not lost...Jesus is not lost...God will find us wherever we are and guide us home; that is God’s promise.

                “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen. By faith our ancestors received confidence. By faith we understand that the world was made by the word of God so that what is seen was born from what is not seen…Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us also put aside every weight and sin that distract us and run the race that is ahead of us, looking to Jesus the leader and perfecter of our faith…” Jesus, the leader of our faith, has gone ahead of us, showing us the Way, has suffered for the sake of Love, showing us the Truth, and has gone ahead of us into the heart of God, showing us the Life that creates, saves and loves life.

Prayer:

Holy One, Permeating Love, enter our lives and open us to the gifts residing deep within the Holy Darkness of our lives. When we feel overwhelmed by the twists and turns of life, quiet us, open us, heighten our senses to perceive Your nudge toward Life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

(*adapted from Celtic Treasure, Philip Newell - Hebrews 11-12, Scripture and Prayer - and Worship Design Studio Lent 5)