in the bubble

As I have just come back from Greenbelt I am still in a bit of a bubble. Strangely though, I am not brimming with too many new schemes - just quite determined to pray into the ordinary a little better than I often do. I volunteered to be a part of the Soul Space team at Greenbelt which meant a few hours of sitting and listening and then offering to God in prayer. Each person was different, there were some threads which linked them, but I found God quite amazing throughout the whole thing - and was reminded of the sheer power of taking time to really listen and pray and think about what God might be saying in a situation - I was astonished by the amazing tenderness of God and (as always) overwhelmed by the fact that God really does bother to listen to us at all and more than that comes and meets us where we are.

I have got a couple of tasks which I have given myself - I have ordered Naked Spirituality by Brian McLaren - I heard him speak on stages of faith and found myself disagreeing - so I want to read the book. It is familiar material reworked but the thread that caught my attention was the one which he described as a shell in which we constantly move in a sort of upwards spiral and make new rooms for ourselves - the thing that made me want to know more was the idea that as we move to a new chamber in this structure we seal off the previous one - I think I heard that right - and that needs more explanation and thinking about - because I disagree - but uncomfortably, making me think there might be a truth in there which is waiting to be discovered!

I was challenged by a meditation group which insisted that I came out of my individual shelter and talked to others....it was uncomfortable but blessed.

I have been reminded of the variety of God's people and feel privileged to walk among them.

So, I have warmed up (if anyone tells you August Bank Holiday is summer - they are either delusional or not from England), I have showered (twice as it happens) and I am glowing in a very real sense of God's presence. God is good, all the time and shines in our darkest nights and blesses our brightest days.

Centered

Yesterday I was throwing pots - I find it relaxing - if my mind is churning the act of forming the clay - of feeling it turn from an unruly lump into something calms me down. Perhaps it is appropriate that after my pancakes I turned to mud, to the earth after all Lent is very much about the elements of life - about grounding ourselves - about digging in.

It can seem daunting but with practice it can be the best of times as we take ourselves - that potters clay which Jeremiah describes - and allow God's firm and gentle hands to center us and form us. Centering can take a bit of effort - some clay is resistant to being made into a tidy mound - but with patience the potter works until it is ready for forming.

As Lent begins we can pray that God will use this time - however we choose to allow God - to center us firmly - to remake us in the image he chooses. It is important time - time for both being and doing. Letting go is important but so is entering in, allowing, being moulded.

If we go to church, as the ash is placed on our forehead we are beginning a process and are reminded of our earthiness, our createdness and, yes, our brokeness. We begin a journey to a place where God can remove the stains and smudges of life.

The collect for today:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen