Restoration

Last Sunday our scripture story was Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. This Sunday we will look at the conversion of Saul, the story right after it in Acts 9. Both of these involve encounters with God - of God moving through others to draw people into the fold, to convert them to Christianity. They involve people journeying on a road with a particular purpose and destination in mind. Along the way, plans change dramatically both for the eunuch and for Saul, as well as for those who God calls to be part of their enlightenment.

I’m writing this anticipating summer holidays. This will be my last blog until at least mid-August. As I read these stories I’m struck by how our assumptions and expectations as we are on the journey can be turned upside down by a divine appointment. Saul was on a mission, truly believing that he was benefiting his faith community by persecuting these upstart rebellious followers of the rogue Messiah-wanna-be. The eunuch was seeking God but not able to understand the scriptures and quite likely shunned by the Jewish community for the colour of his skin, his status and being a foreigner. On the road, both of these men begin an entirely new trajectory and experience conversion, internal change, and soul awakening.

I’m going to be on the road in July for nearly a week and a half and I have no idea what adventures and people I will meet or how God will show up. It might be in very obvious ways that I experience God’s grace and it might be in incredibly subtle ways that I could easily miss.

As I consider this time off from preaching and a lighter workload for July, I pray that in whatever ways I have started down a rabbit hole or a wrong path in my busyness over the last year, that I will be illumined and realigned as to where God needs and wants me to be to best serve. I pray that I can put myself aside enough to be attentive to the Spirit’s movement around and within me. I pray that I can leave work planning and my grasshopper mind for good chunks of time so that I can have my mind and soul restored and rejuvenated.

How awesome that our God journeys with us wherever we go, and that God creates divine meetings with us, either through an experience of God in what we see or hear, or in the witness of words or actions of others around us who perhaps unwittingly become God’s accomplices in our transformation. How amazing that God seeks us out, challenges and restores us, leads us beside still waters if we will go, and refreshes us.

I pray that over the summer you will be able to slow down, to dig deeply into relaxed time with God, and that whatever roads you may travel will be safe and restorative, enlightening and life changing. May you realize on a profound level God’s love and provision for you. May you be re-affirmed in the unique call God has given to you. And may we all be open to being God’s accomplices in the lives of those we meet along the road.