Peace Like a River

If you know me at all you know I love to talk about my home, your home, the home God created for us and all living things. You know, earth.

But this place is more than a habitat to me.  It’s a symphony hall, an art gallery, a recreation center, and a community hub. When I place myself in the middle of creation I am reminded that God crafted life and everything needed to sustain it and declared it all "good." We have been given the responsibility to nurture and care for the continuation of the world.

Last Sunday, Shannon Meister preached on the power of water. As one of the four elements of the earth, water is necessary for all living things to exist. However, balance is required to maintain a healthy relationship with water.

For example, our body's cells require water to process food and keep blood flowing. Yet, many retain water and need medications to correct that imbalance. In hot, dry climates, extra water is required to prevent dehydration. Just like all things, too much or too little can cause devastating results.

As the band sang the chorus from ‘It is Well,’ my mind floated to this line from the hymn - peace like a river. What does that look like? My mind went to the song of bullfrogs, the sounds of water lapping the bank, and the reflection of light off of the wings of dragonflies flitting along the surface. I saw in the picture a couple of fisherpeople in their hip boots, knee deep casting their flies. There is a calm that settles over me as I imagine this scene.

My binary mind needs comparison to understand something (I’m working on that). So I also pictured times when water can destroy. I mean, Shannon was using water as a metaphor for power. It wasn’t hard to imagine, since natural disasters and human cruelty can frequent our news feeds. Floods and mudslides destroy homes and displace families.  Shannon shared with us that the original church was at one time condemned because it was built on an underground spring that eroded the foundation. Water’s destructive power has been used for the purposes of torture and crowd control.

Unlike the elements, many of us have the privilege of being able to choose how to use our power. Am I on the side of my own well being or the side of all being well?  I admit that many days I choose me, me, and me. 

I still believe that self care is important.  And, as a spiritual discipline, it should guide us to understanding our gifts and the purpose we bring to our communities. In finding our peace, we discover our power.

I miss the Buddhist monks. I felt abandoned as I watched them complete their 108 day walk (a number that for them represents completion) and returned home. After my pity party, I began to realize that completing one thing makes room to start something new. Something that requires me to move my feet, one step at a time out of the shallows and into deeper waters. I don’t need to make a big splash like Shannon. I just need to roll up my pant legs and advance from my ankles to my knees.

I invite you to reflect on the following questions and share your thoughts.  You can use a sticky note on the mirrors in the Sanctuary, send us an email, or even better, have a conversation around coffee.

Where do you feel the call to use your power?  What does that look like within the Broadway community?  How does it reach into the lives of our neighbors?

Peace to you,
Teresa