Across Church Street
Same, but different
We can occupy the same kingdom and experience it differently. It’s a reason we need one another.
You and I have been rescued from Pandemonium, a place of brokenness and horror.
Now we explore Eden together.
But our escape was from different provinces.
So our journey is both same and different.
More about worms
Struggling in God’s hands.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a morning liturgy. When I’m walking and see a worm on the pavement, I catch it and throw it back into the grass. Have you tried picking a worm up off the pavement? It’s not easy. When they’re stretched out, clinging to their world, it’s hard to get a hold on them.
But if I just touch them first, they wriggle their way right into my hands.
This is a good metaphor for me and God. So long as I cling to my world, I’m difficult for God to grasp. He sees me headed for danger. He sees I’m going to dry out in the harsh sun. But, for the moment, I’m comfortable—oblivious to God’s care.
Then he touches me. Maybe with a sunset. Maybe with a sting. He has my attention and I wriggle into his hands. Safe.
Move to a place of safety. Now!
Our refuge is a Person.
Since Isaias came through, our Leland, NC neighbors have been dealing with tornado cleanup. Next to storm surge, the threat of tornadoes can be the scariest part of a hurricane. Our TVs and phones alert us repeatedly to find a place of safety. Now!
Where are your places of safety? When we were young children ― and if we were fortunate to have a healthy family ― our place of safety was a person. If we were frightened, we ran to Mom or Dad. But in our adult sophistication, we run to safe rooms and safe deposit boxes.
2020 has been a tornado. It would be good for us to remember that God is our refuge. In Christ, we are his kids and he is our perfect Father. Maybe this year we will rediscover that our real ‘place of safety’ is a Person, and not a place at all.
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I practice the spiritual discipline of rescuing earthworms on paved surfaces. It's a reminder to me that I can pause what I'm doing, get a little dirty, and help. Also, that I've been given the responsibility to care.