When will I begin
to move through?
When you return
to the silence,
the place of
word’s birth.
When you begin
to hear loudly
My sweet
meaning and worth.
When you return
to said place
that will then scent
the past.
When you begin
to recall
how far
We’ve traveled
since meeting last.
When you return
to a time
when thunder
signaled familiar storms.
When you begin
to understand
I live
in the silence
of these words.
You will return
to Me…
Before you begin your day:
"I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." (John 14: 18-20)
When? How? But you said... What do you mean, a little while? Is this not the conversation we've had countless times with the Lord? And, yet these are His words. Society today demands the now. Do you think the Disciples endured the pressure of immediacy? I believe the mere thought of, "What in the world are we going to do without You" insists on a prompt response. Is the reply above comforting during unrest? In turmoil?
Let us take a look down the road a bit. We know from Scripture where these words manifest - at Pentecost. But today, we do not have the pleasure of this knowledge, so we doubt, we stress, we fear.
I imagine the Disciples looking at each other with quite distress. In Jesus's discourse in John 14: 15-31, Jesus reassures the Disciples over twenty times. He makes firm promises using the word will in twelve of these statements.
I will not leave you desolate; you will also live; will be loved by my Father; will love him and manifest myself to him; we will come to him and make our home in him.
...to be with you forever; peace I leave you; my peace I give to you; let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid...
Yet, we like the Disciples, can feel desolate, unloved, abandoned, distressed, troubled, afraid. How do you feel now? Do you identify with the Disciples? Do we ask, when will you return to me? Do we beg, move through my spirit? Sit within this emotion and listen:
Begin to hear loudly
My sweet meaning and worth.
Begin to understand
I live in the silence
of these words.
During your day:
"I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.
Rise, let us go from here."
(John 14: 18 and John 14: 31b)
Read John 14: 18-31
Throughout your day:
INHALE: I trust.
EXHALE: You guide.
(repeat as many times as needed)
Before you end your day:
I return
to the silence,
I begin to hear.
I return
to that place,
I begin to recall.
I return to some time
I begin to understand
I live in the silence
I return.
Amen.
Goodnight; sleep well; know you are blessed.