So ... this MORNING-PERSON, INTROVERT-TO-THE-CORE person (Sherri) just came back to our bedroom at 11:30 p.m. because the Spirit of God is working among us. And in case you didn't know it, when the Spirit of God is working it just isn't polite to walk away!
We had an intensely powerful, challenging and introspective day of sessions discussing and learning about our organization and what it means to associate with it. In the process our own fears and doubts, hopes and dreams, strengths and challenges were coaxed from their neatly tucked away boxes and then examined, diagnosed and healed or buried.
Some things I learned today:
Our organization folk (people of God) are real people ... and that's more than okay, because now we can be, too! No pretense, just grace. They have real lives, real stories, real struggles, real battles, real victories. They love God with consuming passion. They love each other and the purpose to which they are called. Those who came this weekend, as Neal and I did, came to Discover ... what am I to hear, what direction am I to go.
While friendly, the first evening was cordial and intentional. Today, day 2, began in a similar vein with a little more ready smile and a little less stumbling over names. After the intense time already mentioned our dinner was delicious and restful, enjoyed along with probing questions and telling discussions around several tables. A long and open evening paved the way for the Holy Spirit to work in and among His children, and did He! Whether conversation between a duo, a walk in the beautiful spring Colorado day, or a group in the sunroom ~ it was an evening of divine appointments which meandered like a crystal stream through questions and answers, challenge and introspection, laughter and tears, prayer and proclamation.
I love this delightful staff and amazing group of workers who created an environment where those on the Discovery adventure were pampered, fed, loved, and tended. Above all we were safe to explore: our selves, each other, the Organization, the call, our faith and our God.
It ended for some in an exhausted, early call to sleep. For several others there was a wild game that built trust and brought tears of laughter. As the numbers dwindled another divine appointment took place around the kitchen counter as we laughed, joked, shared from the heart and then had the privilege to hear the testimony of one participant's miraculous deliverance from a very dangerous environment, and how God imparted a faith into this beautiful young woman that allows her to believe Him and what His word says. How glorious then to gather around and pray for her anointing and continued healing as she continues the wondrous journey of faith.
Tomorrow morning will be another powerful time during which our faithful God continues a process and this leg of our journey. We'll walk it together tomorrow, leaving reluctantly, now as brothers and sisters of the heart as well as the faith.
Neal made a semblance of a decision, elicited through lots of coaxing during a sometimes gregarious, often deeply spiritual, conversation among a group five participants. I guess the Holy Spirit will continue to speak and continue to reveal; meanwhile I'll CHOOSE (and it wasn't easy early this evening) to wait patiently. Our God is Sovereign and my heart is thrilling at the amazing stories we are watching play out, and yet to be written, among His people!
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