Reflections from my abiding time... love continues to be the answer

This morning's abiding time is brought to you from home.  Though I enjoyed my time away at Annual Conference and time visiting with family in NC, it is always good to be back home.

Morning coffee, check.  Gorgeous morning sunshine, check.

Picking up where I left off in Macrina Wiederkehr's Abide: Keeping Vigil with the Word of God, I am on section 5 "How Dear You Are!" in the Chapter of "Return to Your Original Love".

This morning's Scripture is 1 Thessalonians 1-2 (MSG).  The version here is The Message, but you can change it and choose to read any other version or several versions for comparison.  This morning I read both the NRSV and The Message, deciding to share the latter.

There are many things both in the Scripture passage and in the reading by Macrina here to share.

One thing that stands out to me is that the writers of this letter were courageous in God to share the gospel of God in spite of great opposition (1 Thessalonians 1:2, NRSV).  In The Message, the wording in that verse says they had received rough treatment, yet didn't slow down because they were sure of themselves in God.

Being courageous in God and sure of ourselves in God flows from a relationship with God.  Knowing who we are and whose we are gives us that strength to make it through whatever we face.

Another thing that caught my attention was that the writers noted that they were gentle among the people (1 Thessalonians 2:7) rather than making demands of them.  The NRSV uses the analogy of a nurse caring for her children.  In The Message, it notes that they didn't misuse their authority by throwing around their weight nor were they aloof; they took the people as they were and where they were, caring for them as a mother cares for her children.

This brought to mind an article I read earlier this morning about holding space for others.  When we walk alongside others on the journey of faith and life, we hold space for them to grow at their own pace.  This isn't easy.  It can be challenging.  I think it is most challenging when you are walking with many people at the same time and some want to grow and others don't.  Finding a way to hold space and lovingly guide the diverse flock is a challenge for the shepherd.

The article was written by Kaitlin Curtice, a writer I hadn't read prior to today.  Click on the article link below to read it in its entirety.  From there, you can read her other writings.

The article: People Who Hold Space Will Heal the Church, June 11, 2017

One quote in particular from the article that caught my attention was: "If we hold space for each other, we learn how to truly be alive with one another, as we cast off judgment and wait for the grace of God to journey with us into unknown and sacred places."

Being truly alive with one another, waiting for the grace of God to journey with us.... that's what it's about and that's what is shared in 1 Thessalonians 1-2.

It comes down to love.  Recognizing ourselves as loved by God and recognizing others as loved by God.  Then we can more readily treat ourselves, God, and others with love.  We will be more grateful. We will offer more encouragement.  We will live into who we are called to be when we respond to love.

Josh Groban has a song, "You Are Loved":

Lyrics:

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I, I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I, I will break it for you
Everybody wants to be understood

Well, I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide

When you're lost inside
I, I'll be there to find you
Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I, I will shine to guide you
Everybody wants to be understood

Well, I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved
You are loved

Ah!
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Everyone needs to be heard
You are loved

Songwriters: Molly Kaye / Thomas Salter

You Are Loved lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Another song about living as loved is by Hawk Nelson-- "Live Like You're Loved":

Lyrics:

You're not the only one who feels like this
Feelin' like you lose more than you win
Like life is just an endless hill you climb
You try and try, but never arrive

I'm tellin' you somethin'
This racing, this running
Oh, you're working way too hard!
And this perfection you're chasing
Is just energy wasted
Cause he love's you like you are!

So go ahead and live like you're loved
It's ok to act like you've been set free
His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and be who he made you to be

And live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved

And live like you're know your value born
Like you know the one that hold your soul
Cause mercy has called you by your name
Don't be afraid to live in that grace

I'm tellin' you somethin'
This God we believe in
Yeah, he changed everything
No more guilt! No more shame!
He took all that away
Gave us a reason to sing

So go ahead and live like you're loved
It's ok to act like you've been set free
His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and be who he made you to be

And live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved

Live like you're loved, walk like you're free
Stand like you know, who he made you to be
Live like you're loved, like you believe
His love is all, that you ever need

So go ahead and live like you're loved
His love has made you more than enough

So go ahead and live like you're loved
It's ok to act like you've been set free
His love has made you more than enough
So go ahead and be who he made you to be

And live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved
live like you're loved

Live like you're loved, walk like you're free
Stand like you know, who he made you to be
Live like you're loved, like you believe
His love is all, that you ever need
Live like you're loved!

Macrina notes that these short chapters show pastoral care to the community, a tenderness and "loving concern and devotion". (189) Paul and his companions held space for the community to learn, to live, and to grow.  They lived with them and modeled God's love, in teaching and in action.

Macrina writes that Paul seeks "to encourage, support, and affirm his disciples.  It is no secret that Paul and his colleagues have taken great risks and endured harassment in offering the Word of God to others.  In spite of the suffering they experienced, they were filled with loving boldness.  They were impelled to continue proclaiming the Gospel in the face of opposition." (190)

What a message!  We have the opportunity to continue encouraging, supporting, and affirming others on their journey.  What helps us do this when we face our own obstacles and opposition on the journey?  The grace and love of God that fills us with loving boldness.

One of the questions in the "Reflection and prayer" section was: "Are you able to set aside some time each day to truly abide with the Word of God in Scripture?  Do you notice a difference in the way you relate to others when you are able to be faithful to lectio divina?" (192)

The prayer for this section:

"O Endearing Spirit of the Holy One,
How tenderly you have enfolded me in God's creative love throughout the years!  Continue to set your seal of love upon my heart.  Open my eyes to see the many ways I am cherished and held dear by my loving Creator.  Renew my desire to put down deep roots into the Word of God.  Fulfill my yearning to grow strong in my faith by grounding me in Sacred Scripture.  Bless the many holy guides who have given me so much of their time for the enrichment of my spiritual life. Bless too all those who have come to know you through my simple guidance. May this marvelous exchange of the Word of God among one another help each of us to understand how dear we are.  O Endearing One, enable us to be drawn to the things that really matter."