Listen:
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with Me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing”. (John 15:5 The Message)
Reflect:
The theme for this week is Spiritual Rest. For me the important basis of life!
As several of us are reading through the book The Anatomy of the Soul, the question was asked, “What do you crave most in life?… Chocolate? A nice car? A vacation in Fiji? Sex?” The conclusion was that actually there is something each of us wants more of – even more than the air we breathe: CONNECTION! People need connection, that is how we are made. And every action we as humans take part in, is an attempt to a deeper connection with other humans. For us as followers of Christ the connection with the Trinity is important.
If we talk about spiritual rest, the verse above from John 15 says it all:
“I in Him and He in me.”
I saw somebody make this principle very visible by taking a glass as he was doing the dishes (yes, by hand). He put the glass in the water, and it filled immediately with water: He in me, and I in Him! I will never forget that visual.
Is it easy? No way! Does it come automaticaly? No. It is a choice to stay connected- a daily practice.
Take a closer look at the picture that I added. It is a sculpture of the Father, and He smiles at His child. The interesting part of the sculpture is the fact that the umbilical cord is not cut, but goes straight back into the Fathers heart!! Connection! Food!! Life!!
And what might be difficult to see is, that on the towel the baby rests on, is written the life story of this child. This picture beams intimacy and connection.
For this breather month I wish you a refreshed connection with your Creator!
Prayer of Response:
Forgive us Lord, as we fall away from the intimate connection with You. And help us, to recenter our scattered senses upon the presence of God, again and again! Thank You for the promiss that we will bear fruit as result of our connection with You. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- What are the things in your life that cause a disconnect with God?
- What helps you to stay connected?
- What will you be working on this breather month to get spiritual rest?
—Submitted by Mathilde Companjen
Mathilde Companjen is Dutch, and lives with husband Barth in the Netherlands. They have 4 married daughters, and 4 grandchildren. Mathilde and Barth have been leading the mission organization iTeams for 35 years. Now retired, but she still loves to be involved in projects. Lifesprings is very dear to her, still after many years!
(Photo of man and child used with special permission from the artist, Carla Veldhuis titled: “Gekend”, which means “Known” https://carlaveldhuis.nl/product/canvas-gekend-2/)
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