You may not have known this, but back in April after Easter, I attended a Conference on Men’s Spirituality in Potosi, MO which is outside of St. Louis. One afternoon, during the conference we were to wander the land. I went to cross a big river that had this long floating boardwalk across. It’s famous in the area.
But just as I was near the boardwalk, a bus pulls up and all these 5th or 6th graders pile out. They are obviously going to cross the boardwalk. So I stopped and watched. Now the boardwalk doesn’t have any railings or sides and it bounces when one walks on it. So of course some kids are bouncing and some kids are screaming. No one fell in the water, but it was sure memorable.
So I thought . . . that evening at many of the households, the parents are going to ask their kid about the boardwalk. Now remember it is famous, which means that probably, every parent has been on it and they know it well. But still they will ask their kid about their experience of the boardwalk . . . even as they have their own memory or story. That’s what good parenting is about, to ask to you’re your kid’s story, their experience.
Bad parenting is when someone dismisses the kid’s story. For example, “Oh, I know that boardwalk and back in my day when I was on it . . . blah, blah, blah.” No. Every one of those kids has a right to share their story.
And then, I thought . . . isn’t that what life is about? For each of us to have someone to listen to our stories. Not to compare or “one-up-it” with a better story, BUT to listen.
Everyone deserves to have their story listened to. Hopefully you all have someone.
But then I got to thinking . . . isn’t that what God is about? To hear our stories. My image of God is that God is GIDDY to hear our story. Of course, God was there with you when it happened. But still God is longing to hear your version, your encounter of what happened.
Unfortunately there are some who don’t think that God is interested. Either because you feel God has “let them down” in the past or God hasn’t responded to a prayer in the exact way that they wanted. Or for some of you, you feel disqualified to be close to God because of “that thing” or what you did, or that action that haunts you. Well . . . let me tell you. You are wrong.
God is giddy to listen to your story, to your experience! God wants to hear from you!
This weekend, we are celebrating the feast of Pentecost. It is the feast day of Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the least appreciated aspect of God, that is, of the three members of the Trinity. But the Holy Spirit is about relationship. The spirit is the way we connect to God and to each other.
The spirit has unlimited names. Look on your worship aids for a few titles, or descriptions of the Holy Spirit. [Give people time to look over the list.] They are all good, but if none of them resonate with you, no problem. Come up with your own description or title. One aspect of Pentecost is knowing that God wants to be in relationships with you. The holy spirit is often described as the way God does it. It is the relationship.
But, here’s an important aspect. To have a good relationship with God (via the Holy Spirit), it is also good to be quiet some times and let God speak to you. That is, to take some pauses in your communication and “shut up.” Let God speak . . . either through some quiet times, or through some meditation time.
Look at the phrase Godisnowhere printed on the back of the worship aid. It is important where you put the pauses. For example, if you put a break after the “o” you end up with how many people feel about God. But if you put the pause, or space after the “w” look what happens.
God is giddy to hear your story. Give God a chance. Talk to God. Then let God talk to you. If you get a jumbled mess, try some pauses . . . .and pause at just the right time . . . you will know that GOD IS NOW HERE.
Phrases about the Holy Spirit, listed in the worship aid:
Pure Gift of God
Indwelling Presence
Descending Dove
Promise of the Father
Pledge and Guarantee
Defense Attorney
Inner Anointing
Homing Device
Stable Witness
Peacemaker
Compassionate Observer
God Compass
Inner Breath
Mutual Yearning
Hidden Love of God
Implanted Hope
Seething Desire
Fire of Life and Love
Truth Speaker
Flowing Stream
Wind of Change
Cloud of Unknowing
Uncreated Grace
Filled Emptiness
Deepest Level of Our Longing
Sacred Wounding
Holy Healing
Will of God
Great Compassion
Phrase to place the space for different meanings:
Godisnowhere