Lent - The pathway to our heart

"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
~ James 1:4

If there is one thing that we are all learning about now with the world pandemic, it is that we must find a way to clear a pathway to our heart.

As the small faith community that I pastor voted to suspend our worship services for the next two weeks, I was overwhelmed by tears as one of the members of the Session prayed at the end of the meeting.  My mind couldn't seem to find peace, and all I could think about were those who already live their life so isolated because of age and condition.  I thought of the families that cannot enter into nursing homes to visit loved ones right now, and how those who already suffer from some form of Alzheimer's or dementia, are now not only suffering from the loss of their memories, but the connection to what life they once lived.

Even this morning as I write this, knowing that I will be visiting hospice patient's in their homes, I am trying to find ways to be calm and quiet myself to be the presence that I need to be for those God has called me to serve.

I realize that following the pathway to my heart is about being fully awake and following with every moment, what is happening within me.  It requires the discipline to clearly allow my heart to be vulnerable, and for God to remain close with each breath that I take.

Suddenly I realize that for every one of us who have or is currently experiencing isolation, the pathway to our heart offers the freedom to stroll through our own inner yard, to explore flowers, and rake the leaves and clear the path so you so that the pathway is clear.

Perhaps there is fear and uncertainty as we travel this terrain that we have never known before, but slowly and surely we will discover an order, and a new familiarity that will deepen our longing to stay home within ourselves.  

"Goodness and mercy," are still following after us.  The promises of God still exist, and they will lead us all to the place in our heart where meadows are green and still waters will calm.

Stay in God's grip!

G. Todd Williams (c) 2020