Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Today’s text

Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Nearer than your breath

Awake, my soul to the truth of this and every morning.

Once more, you move me from slumber to stumble down the stairs and search for words that wake me from sleep.

The words are but means to a larger end. I want words that transport me beyond this gray chair to know the spirit of adoption stirring and filling me with the joyful wonder of belonging … to you.

Call them sacramental words, words that take me home, words that contain the substance of belonging to you, words that fill all inner emptiness, chasing away fear and filling the heart with confident joy.

This is what I want to hear, but already you say, “Listen. Listen to yourself, to your desire. Listen to the voice that speaks in you, wanting me.

“I am that voice, the voice of Spirit within you. I am not far but nearer to you than your breath, nearer than your thoughts, nearer than the thirst that moves you from sleep to find words that speak of me so you may know me so close. “I am that thirst, the spirit of your thirsting … thirsting for you.

“When you call out for me, I am there. I am that call. When you hunger for me, I am that hunger, hungry for you. When you feel cold within, I am that chill waiting for you to arrive and warm me with your presence.

“I am the cry of your heart for me, ever here, ever near.

“I am with you wherever you go, for I am as much within you as in the scenes you see as you go your way.

“I was in that mother’s embrace yesterday as she consoled her child on the way to surgery, the one that moved you to tears. I hold you just as certainly as she held her little one.

“For you are mine, the spirit of adoption wakes you from sleep to tell you the truth … once more. Know it well.

Pr. David L. Miller

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Today’s text

Romans 8:15-17

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Reflection

Why might I cry to you, Holy One? You don’t need my cries for you know all things and encompass me and all reality.

But I need to cry. My soul needs to call to you and to know that you are that cry, and we are not two but one, not separate but dwelling in union.

I need to know--and feel--this oneness in depth of awareness, or I am neither free nor human and joy is beyond my grasp. But then it always is.

Joy is your gift, the grace of Love’s presence filling the reservoir of soul with the cause of its hunger and satisfying its essential need.

So I cry to you in the morning hours, “Fill and complete me. Lift me to heights of knowing you, the Love who turns my cry of want to one of joyful fulfillment.”

Completion is the word that comes to mind. I yearn for the completion that only union with you brings. My soul is a reservoir for you, Soul of the Universe, fashioned as a proper home where your Spirit may dwell.

So this day let me find the right words, hear voices of grace and see beauty that stirs the heart. Let me feel the loving touch of human hands, see the sparkle of eyes truly alive and feel the warmth of welcome.

Touch me with life. Your Spirit in-dwells all these things, reaching out to fill my soul and give me wings that lift on the currents of Love.

This is my morning cry, Abba, Father, a cry that is You within this soul that wants more … of You. .

Pr. David L. Miller