Encounter

I was reminded, in a Wake Up Call devotional, that we are experts at missing things because we are focused on the wrong things.  We miss miracles, wonders, beauty, sacred moments, and glory, all because our faith is based on what we get instead of who He is.  We miss an encounter with God because we settle for drive-by vs intimate encounters.  JD Walt quotes Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush is afire with God, but only he who sees, takes off his shoes ... the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries."  Browning is so on target here!  We go TO church to get ... entertained, comforted, amused, fill in your own blank.  All the while, God calls us to encounter Him ... His glory, His grace, His peace, His beauty, His voice.  And this only happens in those thin places where we are willing to enter into His place.

I have to admit ... I let it happen to me this morning.  During our Christmas Cantata, I spent time with God, mouthing the lyrics, watching the children, thinking about the Scriptures, and seeing Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and wise men (and women), all focused on the manger.  It was an encounter with God, and I felt myself take off my shoes for awhile, and just be a child of God.  Our Sanctuary was "filled with God and heaven."  Then, my mind drifted to a pressing duty.  The benediction and closing.  Would I forget to mention someone?  Would I say the right things, so everyone felt invited to the meal?  Maybe these concerns seem small, even inconsequential to you ... but I know our culture is all into being mentioned, being stroked, and getting attention.  We are taught a lot about picking blackberries, and not so much about taking our shoes off and taking in a God that wants to fill us with His Spirit, His Presence and His Son (that "God With Us" thing).

Here's the thing: My encounter was derailed by my inability to see and talk about heaven all around me, all because I wanted to be everything to everybody except God.  So, I am asking your forgiveness for failing to tell you about the little piece of heaven I saw.  And, I am asking you to take a break from picking blackberries and reflect on the beauty of God's gift to us today.  See the light in the eyes of little girls dressed as angels.  Hear the voices of the choir, the director, and the musicians, as they laid it all out for God.  Think about the over 70 people who were able to see the service online.  Close your eyes and hear the narrator's voice quiver, because those Scriptures meant something to her.  Reflect upon the reverence of the wise men, as they laid down gifts at the manger.  Give yourself permission to imagine Mary and Joseph as all of this was a complete wonder to them.  Ponder how dirty, lowlife shepherds received the greatest gift and honor of their lives.  And think about the words of a song we will sing this coming week ... "Noel, Noel, Come and see what God has done."  And, remember, blackberries aren't in season, but heaven is!