We began our gathering with a time of
prayer and worship. This was before we retreated for 2 hours of
silence. During this time we looked at texts from the New Testament
that spoke of "being" and "doing". What is God
calling us to be? What is God calling us to do? These two
questions are often the focus of listening prayer.
After our time of retreat we returned
to report on how the Spirit was speaking to us. Jim Smith started us
off recalling Scriptures he had studied earlier in the week from
Proverbs 15 & 16 which reminded him of what we are called to
"be" and "do". Struck again by how the ways of
the world are so different from the ways of the Lord in Proverbs, Jim
was reminded we must be not just listeners of the Word, but doers
(James 1:22). The world needs us to be a blessing that they might
be drawn to the Lord. Cindy saw a picture of us intentionally
working for the Lord together like a knitted garment in which each
part was inter-woven and important. Each of us has unique and
important gifts. She was reminded that our faith in Christ holds us
all together which is at the core of who we are (Eph. 4:16).
This idea of going God's way and living
God's way was further captured for us in what became the central
image of the day - "The Path". Not two or three verses
into Jim's sharing from Proverbs (15:10), that the text spoke of
God's correction for those who stray from "the path". It
seems in various ways the Spirit was saying again and again, "stay
on the path". Pastor Dave shared an image given him in his
listening time. The vision was of an open field with a earthen levy
holding back flood waters. Near the levy ran a path. Not level but
concave which forced the traveler to stay in the middle. He could
not see where it came from or where it led, but felt compelled to
follow the path and was forced by its shape to walk in the middle.
He sensed it would be safe to walk there even though the flood waters
threatened. There was comfort that came from knowing that the path
had been prepared for him to walk in and if the waters overflowed the
path maker would make the way safe.
Rebecca Loach, who joined us from Ohio
for our Listening Day, then shared what she felt was a prophetic word
(see NewWineMission.blogspot.com for full text). Likening our
ministry at New Wine to traveling on a foggy road she felt the Spirit
saying:
"Hang on. Stay true to the path
you have chosen, those things you believe to be true, honorable and
right....There were many times when you did not realize that it was
My heart and My purpose at work in your life, for there were times
when the path ahead seemed very dark, times when the answer
did not seem clear. But I tell you the truth, My children, you have
taken the right road
and I am still leading you. For dear ones , do not forget that I am
the One that apprehended you for this course. I am the One who
called you to this task."
Her prophetic word ended with words of
comfort and assurance that the fog will lift and that the Lord was
calling us to "a season of restoration."
Being
Others, too, received a word of
comfort calling us to rest in God. Anne felt an overwhelming sense
of peace after a recent period of anxiousness as she quieted herself
before the Lord. Kate also heard the Lord saying not to fear or
fret but rest in Him. She was directed to Psalm 37 which says in
part: "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the
desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him
and He will do it...rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, fret
not yourself..." Rob who spent time walking a path over in
the Flushing Nature Park was reminded of the creative wonders of
Our Creator who knows every detail of all that He has wonderfully
made. That includes each of us and the gifts He has placed in us.
He also has created our unique Christian community which we call New
Wine Anglican Mission. He has made us and will sustain us on our
journey. (Rob had a very poetic word which is posted separately on
our blog also.) Deb found herself reflecting on the image of being
under the "Shadow of the Almighty". This was comforting,
while she was reminded the the "shadow of fear" often
casts a larger image than the actual object or source of the fear.
This would suggest that we need not focus too much on the
uncertainties ahead but know that the Lord is with us every step of
the way. He is bigger than the things that frighten us. He is the
light and will light our path (Psalm 119:105)
Doing
Beth spoke of our special calling in
the heart of the city, a place of harvest and a need for restoration.
She found humor in the fact that where she was sitting was in plain
view of the church's "lost and found". New Wine is a place
where the lost can be found. This is one of the things we do. June
found herself reflecting on Galatians 6:9 "Let us not lose
heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow
weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all
men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."
And again in Hebrews 13 "Through Him then , let us continually,
offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips
that gives thanks to His name, and do not neglect doing good and
sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased." The idea of
doing good includes strengthening "the hands that are weak and
the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so
that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather
be healed." (Hebrews 12:12-13). Pat reminded us that that the
Shepherd's Psalm (23) speaks of the comfort of the Lord for those on
the path:
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not
want,
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul; He guides me in
the paths
of righteousness for His name's sake!
Though a small church, we are
mission-minded. Judy reminded us that there is much for us to do for
"the harvest is plentiful and the workers are few". Anne
pointed out that we have been sending many out as of late: Joy to
China, Tim Goodrich to Philly, Mike and Amy Cupp to Grand Rapids,
even Nick to Columbia and this summer Kate to Africa. As we continue
on this path one might anticipate more will be sent.
This reflection does not capture all
that was heard or all that was communicated, but has been an attempt
to summarize some of what was heard as we waited on the Lord. As we
attempt to listen for what the Lord wants us to "Be" and
"Do" we need to make time more regularly to seek the voice
of the Lord and listen. Near the end of our sharing time Jim Smith
shared an object lesson that spoke to him that morning. As he was
walking outside during our time of retreat he heard a bullfrog loudly
croaking. It was so loud and pronounced that he thought he would
have no problem finding it, but as soon as he got close the old guy
went silent. He began to think of this drama like his time of
seeking God. Initially the thought; "Why would God grow quiet
as I got near?" But then he realized "I had it backwards".
"I am the bullfrog and when God seeks me out, I tend to want
to hide out of fear!" The message seems clear, let us not be
hard to find when God wants to draw near and speak to us. Fear not
and let us seek His voice as we serve Him on the path He has set
before us.
