August 6th is the Fest of the Transfiguration. (See Luke 9:28-36). Jesus takes with him Peter, James, and John. They climb up "the mountain" and spend time in prayer. Suddenly, Jesus is "transfigured before them" (metamorphosis in Greek). They see Jesus with Moses and Elijah (guess they all had their name tags on). Suddenly, "a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud."The past few weeks have felt like that terrifying cloud overshadowing me. [Thanks to all who left supportive comments, a post or so back.] But, as with the Transfiguration, it was in the midst of the cloud that the voice of God spoke.
While I have heard any voices lately (not like that!), I have remembered some things. To re-member is to become again, to re-call, even to re-live (in a sense) something you once knew, were once a part of (that is still a part of you).
The incredible terrain I have traversed in the last year has been immense and has taken a toll. Overloaded, my soul needs rest. What's called for, I believe, is some balancing of work and creative down-time. Accepting and living with and within the "cloud," I am seeing, feeling, re-membering the Presence.
Be still and know; tarry thou the Lord's leisure; the holy One watches over my going out and my coming in (and my coming out, too).
Jesus' said "Do not be afraid." I dare say he meant it.
And in other news new friend RayBob had to come to town for a family gathering, and I offered hospitality. He is great fun (and very woofy!). It's lifted my spirits considerably having someone here, moving me out of my 'stuff.'
11 comments:
Like many before us an dlike you, I too have learned - and re-learned - that God often speaks in the midst of those clouds.
BT:
between "fear not" and "the truth shall set you free," I think we all have our walking papers.
The problem is that everyone thinks that the Naz was Mr. Nice. He is in fact telling us that suffering stands at the center of life, and if we go there, we will find God waiting for us.
God knows all of us know that's true.
Hang in there.
T@C
Hey Joe,
You would tell me the same thing! Be still. Sometimes God calms the storms and sometimes God calms God's child. Unfortunately, we don't know what God is going to do.
We, all of us, feel inadaquate to the task at hand.....but we forget that he never gives us more of a burden than we are capable of handling with his help.
the dark journey of the soul and tranformations of any sort are no fun, hard work, exhausting and scary.
You are so fortunate to be on one. I am fortunate to witness your journey.
Very moving post Joe, I think even though we can support each other, we all have to find our own way through this.
It sounds like the get together with RayBob provided you some good time and camaraderie and made you see through the clouds. Have a great week!
I've said it before; I say it again: you take too much on. Mon ami, our little David chose a very big Goliath to go against. But trust in God. He trusts in you.
Dear Brother,
I know the cloud of which you speak! God does speak out of the cloud! Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you." He never leaves nor forsakes you. I am glad there is someone who providing a diversion for you. Be blessed my brother.
I have strong faith and I believe Jesus when He said "Be not afraid".
I hope that you are feeling better.
Greetings, John,
Any friend of Raybob's is a friend of mine. I'm glad he directed me to your blog. I'll keep in touch.
William
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