A Burden Lifting
Within hours of arriving in southern France, I was on my hands and knees in the bathroom of our country home … cleaning up a toilet overflow.
S was interpreting labels on French cleaning bottles and handing me paper towels.
The boys were in a nearby room, somehow competing in Olympic swimming on a king size bed. Two of them had on swim suits.
So began the latest phase of our year ’round the world.
We’re in a good gear now with a few weeks under our belts … but I’m still dogged by pressure to MAKE SOMETHING of this year. How can our time be more substantive than a vacation? What will we have to show for it in our insides and on the outside? What is my work during these months? What is our work as a family?
Feeling the pressure to have an answer to those questions is exactly the OPPOSITE of what a friend wrote on the eve of our journey, inviting us to:
Let go of your own agendas for this trip, your own parameters, your own objectives, your own definition of “success,” your own desires for what must be accomplished, what must happen, what must be experienced.
I’m not doing so well letting go and I’ve prayed earnestly nearly every day for clarity — even inspiration — about what our great purpose might be.
Today, there was an answer to that prayer. Sort of.
We were having a family worship service in our living room, listening to a great series from Jesuit Media Initiatives called Pray As You Go. The Scripture lesson was from John 6.
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The Jesuit narrator came out of the Scripture reading with this: “It is not unnatural for people to ask themselves ‘What work does God require of me?’”
Then he said this: “Jesus’ response seems to be ‘Just accept the work God has done for you.’”
Surely there is more to be discussed about the passage and its message … but it was a good Word for us today.
And I’m thankful for this bread.
Interestingly, we read the same scripture today here at Mount Jefferson Presbyterian, followed by a segue to Jesus feeding the 5000. One takeaway message was that we need to recognize the miracles we see daily – something I think you Wildmans are doing. The other message is that the miracles themselves are not the point; the point is believing in the One who causes the miracle.
jim, as food for your contemplation, consider those of us that are emotionally and spiritually (although not physically) with you folks on this marvelous journey. Your courage and dedication to journey on this experience keeps many of us engaged with you. Keep up the good work and don’t fret about anything other than making the most of what you already have begun.
Yup! It’s the Northern VA conundrum Johnny K always talks about – the pressure to DO something, be productive, EARN it. But God’s “grace is sufficient for you” each day and who knows, He may possibly have a whole different agenda. Keep listening to those echoes!
We live in a world of “human doers” instead of human beings. Your friend is correct in my opinion. Live out of your heart. Just be. Really, that is good enough, Jimmy. Your kids don’t have to “do” something for you to love them. The same goes for you. Just be as you are. You are loved by God as you are. Pass that on. It’s a gift. A bientot. (I love France!)
I am personally so inspired by you all! Your courageous journey is so much more than anyone will ever dream of being able to experience. That alone is a gigantic accomplishment in itself:) Blessings to you!
Jim, Psalm 118:24 helps me when I’m wondering what God’s will is for me: “This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
I love Pray as You Go. What an encouragement His Word must be to you — so clear that He is with you. Love to you from all the Egges.
Many thanks for these words — and for reading our blog. We are so touched by both your kindness and interest.