Becoming

On Monday evening a handful of folks gathered in the sanctuary. The lights were dim, the space softened by voices that spoke with no amplification...there were some extended periods of gathered silence, when the bodies remained still.

There was the sight of the candle carried into the assembly...joyous light of glory! And the responsive and swirling tones of Psalm 141, "Let my prayer rise up as incense before you...."

There was movement toward the prayer stations...kneel, stand, sit as you wish (or as you are able)... receive words of healing...the laying on of hands...the anointing with oil.

I was there... thankfully without any particular illness or physical pain...but with quite a heap of concerns ... relationships strained to a thin thread, wonderment about whether or not we are making progress as a civilization (I wonder, sometimes when there is such a tidal wave of political mud-slinging that dominates the media)...or as a species, for that matter...

It was a holy huddle, to be sure... in the midst of football frenzy, political foray, and yes, the all too premature invitation to "Holiday Shopping!" we gathered to warm our hearts, minds and souls with words of assurance. We sang of being enveloped by the wings of God's Love, and of nestling in God's breath of protection.

We went our separate ways after 40 minutes or so... rooted in the promise of healing...not necessarily "cured" of all ills, but certainly invigorated with the joy of becoming re-newed in Christ.

We are always in need of healing...as we continue to become ...

"This life, therefore, is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness; not health, but healing; not being, but becoming; not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing towards it. The process is not yet finished, but it is going on. This is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified." Martin Luther