"Do you try to set aside times of quiet for openess to the Holy Spirit? All of us need to find a way into silence which allows us to deepen our awareness of the divine and to find the inward source of our strength. Seek to know an inward stillness, even amid the activities of daily life. Do you encourage in yourself and others a habit of dependence on God's guidance for each day? Hold yourself and others in the Light, knowing that all are cherished by God".
(Advices and Queries #3)
This morning I returned to the Quaker meeting in Penzance, to carry on with the whole 'stillness' thing. I knew a little bit more what to expect after my last visit. There were less people there and the room was freezing but everyone was very friendly and welcoming.
I spent the time reading some of the Advices and Queries (as above) and also the beginning of Luke. I love reading about John the Baptist, and Advent is about the coming of Jesus into the world, but today I was more struck by the stories of those that ushered in those two amazing men: John's parent's - Elizabeth and Zechariah, and Mary and Joseph. It's so easy to skim over texts so familiar and often read. Today I tried to imagine just how it must have been... especially for Elizabeth and Mary. Two normal, good-hearted women, going about life, unlikely to be expecting anything out of the ordinary. And then, in an instant, the visit of an angel, and everything changed. Two miraculous pregnancies shook their world and their sons changed it. It's pretty hard to imagine, really, but I reckon I'll be pondering on it more.
Not many people spoke during the one hour of quiet, but what was said focused on the death of Nelson Mandela this week, and stories were shared of joining in anti-apartheid protests, visits to South Africa, and of the minute's applause at the Penzance rugby ground on Friday night. Here was another man who had a tremendous impact on countless individuals around the world, and on the destiny of an entire nation. It's incredible, really. I know he was not perfect, but none of us are, and he never pretended to be. Which makes me respect him more.
May we not forget the lessons learned. May we learn something from these faithful men and women who lived both ordinary and extraordinary lives. Who spoke up for the oppressed and called for change.
Hold yourself and others in the Light, knowing that all are cherished by God
(Advices and Queries #3)
This morning I returned to the Quaker meeting in Penzance, to carry on with the whole 'stillness' thing. I knew a little bit more what to expect after my last visit. There were less people there and the room was freezing but everyone was very friendly and welcoming.
I spent the time reading some of the Advices and Queries (as above) and also the beginning of Luke. I love reading about John the Baptist, and Advent is about the coming of Jesus into the world, but today I was more struck by the stories of those that ushered in those two amazing men: John's parent's - Elizabeth and Zechariah, and Mary and Joseph. It's so easy to skim over texts so familiar and often read. Today I tried to imagine just how it must have been... especially for Elizabeth and Mary. Two normal, good-hearted women, going about life, unlikely to be expecting anything out of the ordinary. And then, in an instant, the visit of an angel, and everything changed. Two miraculous pregnancies shook their world and their sons changed it. It's pretty hard to imagine, really, but I reckon I'll be pondering on it more.
Not many people spoke during the one hour of quiet, but what was said focused on the death of Nelson Mandela this week, and stories were shared of joining in anti-apartheid protests, visits to South Africa, and of the minute's applause at the Penzance rugby ground on Friday night. Here was another man who had a tremendous impact on countless individuals around the world, and on the destiny of an entire nation. It's incredible, really. I know he was not perfect, but none of us are, and he never pretended to be. Which makes me respect him more.
May we not forget the lessons learned. May we learn something from these faithful men and women who lived both ordinary and extraordinary lives. Who spoke up for the oppressed and called for change.
Hold yourself and others in the Light, knowing that all are cherished by God
No comments:
Post a Comment