Thursday, March 27, 2008

Dear God,

Living inside someone else's destiny is a beautiful view of the future. Seeing the potential, hearing the stirrings of the soul, deciding not to hold on to the supports, giving way to what God brings is one of the most exciting ventures in life. And also scary as hell itself.

I lead a retreat today for three of my favorite people. Your spirit has been stirring them up for months. Following your lead, they began writing, composing, singing. For hours daily. It's not enough. They know you're knocking on their door. They want to open that door, allow the spirit to blow inside, picking up the dust of their lives. But they also know (and this is where it gets real scary) their lives will be changed forever.

I wasn't quite sure what to use to help guide them. After all I've worked for two weeks without a day off. I'm tired. Been a lot of needs out their besides the fact that the glorious Holy Week and Easter were just last week. And I've been leading a study that no one wants to end. They want more. They've tasted the sweetness of the spiritual life and they want to take a hike deeper into the woods of faith.

So I prayed, looked around my study. There it was lying on my shelf. Of course, it was the right thing, the right book. I'd forgotten. But you hadn't. I've been holding it for just this occasion. Second Acts.

Participating in the transformation of a human spirit, releasing the inner power, enabling a deeper look into the future is one of my favorite things to do. While others are sweating, I'm laughing, not the kind that hurts, but rather the AHA of the spirit. Potential is simply God's given gift, yours, made with your own hands for your beloved.

Just like last night's study, we stand at the precipice waiting to know what will happen next. Standing there alone, the spirit wind blowing all around, there is an excitement that you started all this. Your idea.

Remembering the winds of the spirit in my own call to be faithful as a your servant stirs my heart into joy. I remember the terror, not wanting to think too highly of myself, wanting to fulfil that call, yet being so scared to step into the future with you. Seven years. Seven years it took me until I ran out of excuses. Finally said yes. And although there have been moments when things were rough and tough, I live in the sweet Yes of God. I know I am where I am destined to be, doing daily what you whisper.

Living with people inside their destiny is a holy place. Choosing to live or die the dream is a tough choice but for those whose heart beats for God, there is only one choice. And I have the beautiful privilege of standing with, then standing behind as they step forward. Joy, sheer unadulterated joy.

Spirit Wind,
blow on me;
blow on my friends.
Reveal
your plan.
Sing its song.
And we
who await you
will sing
in return.

Loving you into eternity, Andrea