a yes orientation

“I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) 

Walking with God means to be continually willing to say “yes” to him.  Mary is a great example of that.  In fact, she has often been described through the ages as someone having a “yes orientation” to God.  That sounds beautiful, but what does it really mean?  What does it look like?

First and foremost, having a “yes orientation” to God means that we need to listen carefully to what he’s asking us to say yes to and not assume that we need to be doing anything and everything.  Sadly, many of us make that assumption without ever asking.  It makes me wonder how many times we are saying yes to something God has not even asked us to do?

What God was asking Mary to do was very specific and, thus, Mary’s yes was very specific as well.  And in order to say yes to what God was asking of her, she had to say no to many other things.  That’s the way life with God works.  He speaks and we listen.  He asks and we answer.  He leads and we follow, not vice versa.

We get into trouble when we assume.  We run ahead, thinking our plans and activities and agendas are God’s without ever asking him.  Don’t make that mistake.  Don’t just assume.  Ask God, listen to what he says, and then be like Mary—say yes! 

alive: encountering the risen jesus

 

Eastertide is coming quickly.  If you're looking for a companion for the journey of resurrection, here's an option: Alive: Encountering the Risen Jesus

the holiness of the ordinary

the sun paints the morning sky

filling its daily canvas with hues

of pink and orange and red

a masterpiece on display for all to see

an open invitation for all who choose

to say yes and to stop and to look

there is beauty in daily life

profundity waiting to be unearthed

like treasure hidden in a field

each day a showcase of mystery

each moment an invitation to engage 

the holiness of the ordinary

which is not ordinary at all

but it must first be recognized

in order to be seen 

and it must be seen 

in order to be fully appreciated

but that takes time

it is hard to pay attention on the run

it is difficult to notice in a hurry

slowing down is a key element

savoring only happens slowly

if we want to fully taste

all that the now has to offer

it will require something of us

but are we willing to give that something

anxiety

it doesn't take much

to send me down 

the rabbit hole

to start the chorus

of voices within

holding me captive

to their what ifs 

and oh noes

creating one

worst case scenario

after another

once the wheel is spun

it takes forever for it

to come to rest again

almost impossible to stop

i have become its victim

helplessly watching

breathlessly worrying

it has its way with me

until finally it chooses

to release its grip

then the wheel finally stops

until the trigger is pulled again

it doesn't take much

homecoming

hang on to hope beloved

all is not lost

i am working deeply

in ways you cannot yet see 

those walking in darkness

will see a great light

those traveling through

the valley of the shadow

will find light and hope

for i walk beside them

even if they are unaware

those who toil in the pigpen

will come to their senses

and head for home

they will remember 

where they belong

and to whom they belong

and will come back

so stand on the porch

and keep watching

keep waiting

and keep hoping

get ready to celebrate

because that day will come

hang on to hope beloved

trying too hard too

trying too hard 

is exhausting

jockeying to be seen

working to be known

proving my worth

longing to be essential

desperate to be needed

why am i always

trying to prove

what am i always

trying to prove

pressured to perform

climbing to nowhere

then you come and 

invite me to lay it all aside

for in your eyes there is 

no need to prove or perform

no climbing to be great

no jockeying to be seen

the pressure is off

all there is to do is to be

i don't have to be enough

because You already are

dancing with God

somehow the music started

before i even recognized it

you drew me onto the floor

and taught me how to dance

embracing me in your arms

you drew me close

you whispered in my ear

you moved me sweetly

into the rhythms of your love

you showed me the steps

you taught me to hear

the music of your affection

you taught me to move in

perfect harmony with you

leading me as i follow

for our dance is like no other

and yet somehow like all others

only after you drew me into

the cosmic intimacy of the dance

did i begin to understand

how mysterious and magical

how intimate and passionate

living union with you can be
more magical than imaginable

so i will continue

to dance with you

today and every day

for the rest of my days

and on into eternity