Monday, February 5, 2007

My dearest God,

Yesterday was filled with spiritual joy! Your idea had come full circle. A challenge to bring together 1,000 cans of soup for the hungry became a rallying cry for the people of Bethel United Methodist Church. And did we rally. Few people brought in a can or two. They brought in cases, cartons, sack fulls.

There was so much joy and enthusiasm, excitement filled the air. Members we hadn't seen for a while appeared. Visitors joined our ranks. Constituents hugged one another. And I...well, I was drenched in the spirit of the Living God.

Earlier in the morning I had dressed in what I had promised for a thousand cans of soup. A blue Colts jersey loaned to me by the Colts Pro Shop, white pants, long, blue socks, Colts ankle socks and tennis shoes. As I looked into the mirror, I sighed a long sigh. "Do I really want to do this?" I said to my husband. But then I remembered a gift from St. Francis, a wooden cross given to me in Assissi, Italy at the conclusion of a renewal retreat. I dug it out of my jewelry box and placed it on a black cord around my neck. I smiled as I held the cross in my hand.

Every part of the worship service was God-driven. The choir was outstanding. Our singing "Guide My Feet" was a plea for God's divine intervention in our lives. We were standing with God and the power of the Spirit was a tangible force in the room.

I felt a surge of divine energy as I began my message. I believed in what I was saying. The gospel message is a powerful one and I felt God's power as I lifted my voice. Faith really is the driving force, I told my congregation. And God meets us in the drive toward holiness, the sacred moments when God and human creatures walk together, a holy unity offering multi-layers of joy, challenge, hope, and peace. "Push 'em back, push 'em back, way back..." I cried out. God pushes us back to our starting point when we fail to remember who is really in charge of the cosmos. I prayed, and sang, and danced as I preached the living Word.

There is no joy on earth like the joy of the Lord. We are infused with a godly love that fills every pore. Our hearts are strengthened, our spirits more determined, our compassion grows. When God is in our midst in a very visible way, we are transformed. Joy erupts into the air and those around us can't help but feel its influence.

As I stood, my arms held high, my palms upturned, to give the benediction, I looked at the people called Bethel. And my, how I loved them, how proud I was to journey in their midst. We have known God together and we have celebrated his purpose among us. What more could we want?

Loving you
is my greatest joy,
Creator of the Cosmos,
Redeemer of the World.
My joy is never complete
unless my heart, spirit and mind
are aligned with yours.
And when we come together,
the sparks of the Spirit fly,
falling down upon us,
reminders of the presence
of the Almighty.
Who can adequately say thanks?
No one.
What words can I use
to convey my heart's gratitude?
None.
I cannot satisfactorily extend
my thanksgiving.
It is not possible.
Just as it should be.
No human vessel
can hold that much joy
without dying.
Only in eternity
can we offer to God
our humble thanks,
a life filled with God.

Always yours even into eternity, Andrea