Pause intentionally. Inhale deeply. Breathe out fully. Again, inhale deeply and breathe out fully. Throughout the day, I find myself intentionally engaging in this spiritual practice. Oftentimes, it’s in response to unexpected items on my calendar and other times, it is in anticipation of what lies ahead. What does lie ahead?
Many of you are actively anticipating what lies ahead for our country, for our church, and for our individual lives. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle Paul encourages the community in Corinth to always excel in the work of God, knowing that one’s efforts are never in vain. Just as feeding our neighbors and fighting for justice are considered the work of God, so too is the spiritual practice of pausing and deep breathing. As human beings who rely on the air we breathe, we know that breathing is never in vain.
Please hear these words: good deeds of self-care are never in vain.
As we collectively gaze into the future, we should name our fears and then take intentional time to pause, inhale, and breathe. We should do the same with our hopes. These last few weeks in Pittsburgh, I’ve been challenged by unexpected weather patterns and staff transitions. I encountered fear and remembered to pause, inhale, and breathe. With every breath, I remembered that the Spirit of God is always near. With every committee meeting and church event, our ELPC congregants displayed love through ushering and praying, listening and singing, caring and laughing. I encountered hope and remembered to pause, inhale, and breathe. With every breath, I remembered the Spirit of God is indeed near.
What lies ahead? In the new year, we will continue to do the work of God, and we will be challenged to do such work in new, maybe even unfamiliar ways. Our Elders and leaders will ask us to “try on” new paradigms and perspectives. We will be uncomfortable, and we will recognize our fears. Then we will pause, inhale, and breathe deeply. We will make space for holy mistakes and collectively grow with new learnings. We will strive to excel in the work of God and recognize the hope of Christ’s transformative power. Then we will pause, inhale, and breathe deeply.
Are you ready for what lies ahead?
In Christ,
—Pastor Michael