“How good it is to center down!”
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
3 he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.”
John 15:1-11
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become[c] my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”
Reflection:
In the early moments of this day, as the sun peeks over the tree-tops, I grab that first cup of coffee, and allow the warmth that emanates from that held cup to warm my hands. I turn my face towards the sun streaming through my window and I think “Oh God, you are so good!” And in that moment, I realize that yes.... “The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.” (Psalm 23:1tpt)
It’s here and now that God reminds me that no matter what may be shaking my world, our world, “He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet place of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life.” (Psalm 23:2 tpt)
“So why should I fear the future? (Psalm 23: 6a, tpt). When I allow myself to sit and ponder this “Oasis of peace” that God gives, to provide myself space to ponder this peace and allow it to envelope me...my mind, my body and my soul, I sense a fresh infilling of God’s Spirit. And there is a knowing in my spirit that rises up and I KNOW, that I know that I know, that yes, God is with me. I never walk alone. And I find in the midst of this time we find ourselves in, of “social distancing” and “sheltering in place” the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil.4:7). A peace that is greatly needed and is so available.
So, yes, “How good to center down.” How good to sit....listen.... and reflect on the goodness of God’s love and care for us. Amen? Amen!
In these days we find ourselves walking in, I believe it’s also important to remember who we are and whose we are. In John’s gospel we are reminded that Jesus is the “Living Vine” and we are the branches. As we live in union with him as our true source - fruitfulness will stream from within us. So, we abide, we stay connected to the Vine.
When I think on the vine, I’ve got to be honest, I think of the “kudzu” plant. You know the plant that grows rampant and out-of-control in the southern parts of the United States? As I’ve traveled, especially in Kentucky, I’ve been drawn to how the kudzu has taken over and covered so many plants, trees or anything else that’s been left unattended. To me.... there’s a kind of beauty it creates. And so I allow my imagination to create beautiful images. Sort of like, as children, when we would lay flat on the ground, look up at the sky, and watch the clouds move across the sky, changing shape and allowing our imaginations to run free.
This day when I think of the kudzu I think of the Father's love, protection, and care. Crazy thought.....you may say....yet......I think of Jesus as our vine, “I am the true sprouting vine and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father.” (John 15:1 tpt). The Father cares so very much for us....the branches. “As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you - .....But when you live separated from me you are powerless.” (John 15:5 tpt)
You know what I’m thinking? Yep, the kudzu plant may be almost unstoppable. Yet I truly love the picture that forms in my mind of kudzu being Gods’ Word and Love over-taking me and overtaking the world!! Unstoppable!!!
“Remain (stay) in me, as I also remain (stay) in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain (stay) in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain (stay) in me.” (John 15:4 tpt)
“It’s not what we have in life but who we have in our lives that matters.” (Jim Laurence)
How good it is to center down! Amen & Amen!
- Reflection by Loretta Sunderland
Loretta Sunderland serves as a Pastor at Hayward Wesleyan Church in Hayward, Wisconsin. Over the years, Loretta has developed a passion for encountering God in the quiet, still spaces, which is contrary to her nature of being neither quiet nor still. Her home on the lake in the beautiful Wisconsin northwoods, and nature everywhere is her favorite office and inspiration. Loretta enjoys ushering others into the sacred present so they, too, may encounter Christ's presence in each moment and life circumstance.
The Way of Beauty:
Here you will find a picture of the kudzu plant in the shape of the cross. This plant is unstoppable, much like the power of Jesus Christ. After spending a few moments reflecting on the photo, make a brief comment about it. Respond to the prompt: How can we invite God’s unstoppable love into our lives to work through us?
The Contemplative Mystical Way:
Reflect. Choose to write a letter either to your future self two weeks from now about what you hope to carry with you from this journey; or write a letter to your past self two weeks ago at the beginning of this journey about what you might expect and how you could better prepare for the journey. Ask yourself, how will you interact with the world differently having gone through this journey?
The Way of Practical Action:
Center down today around the table. Choose a meal or snack-time to enjoy, whether you are alone or in the presence of others. Set the table with care. Put your phone away and enjoy the goodness it is to nourish your body and soul at a relaxed pace. Celebrate how God has nourished you over the course of the retreat. Celebrate the goodness that God rejoices to give you.
Celebrate, as well, the growth of the seed you planted at the beginning of the retreat. Take time to reflect on its growth. Know that you, like the seed, are only beginning to embody all the blessings that this time of retreat has and will bestow.
Prayer:
Merciful and loving God, while this retreat is coming to its end I know your presence will not depart from me even as I depart from this, for you are always everywhere present filling all things. In my concluding, continue to manifest your unfailing love for me, as you always do regardless. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with You in Your eternal peace. Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know Your peace. Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know Your protection and peace. Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to choose long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know Your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth. Lord let me now your servant depart in peace from this retreat according to your word for my eyes have seen your salvation and the promise of your people.
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