Abundance.

Last week I recorded a video blog from Grandfather Mountain State Park where I talked about accessing our three information centers (heart, mind, and body) as we seek to make wise and godly decisions. Specifically, I mentioned the decision we personally had to make about whether to buy a house.

When we went to visit the house that evening, we absolutely loved it…but were greatly disappointed to find that there was a racetrack just across the valley where supercharged cars would consume every summer evening with their deafening roar. Reluctantly, we walked away.

The very next day, Kellie was looking online and said abruptly, “I’ve found it!” When we drove up to the little log and stone cabin, we were breathless. As we walked through its quirky and cozy rooms, we were sold. A vision for what it could become with some renovation gripped us, and we made an offer. The house is now ours, and now our work begins!

This morning Kellie and I read Psalm 130 in The Message, and one line jumped out at us: If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit.

Let me try to put this in my own words. God, every natural instinct of our hearts expects you to keep meticulous record of our many failings…and then crush us under the weight of your justified punishment. But wow were we ever wrong! As it turns out, you’re not like that at all. Your very being is formed in forgiveness so that we don’t receive what we deserve!

As it turns out, we’re wrong about a lot of things.

We’re often wrong about who God is, about who we really are, and about the nature of God’s reality. And the greatest adventure of life lies in uncovering the glorious, hopeful truth of these very things so that we can live and lead by participating in these Realities. Wow.

The evening after we walked away from the racetrack house, Kellie and I went to our usual yoga class where the instructor invited us, as usual, to choose an intention or internal theme for our practice. Immediately I remembered a quote Kellie shared with me months ago from an ancient poem:

We know nothing until we know everything. I have no object to defend for all is of equal value to me. I cannot lose anything in this place of abundance I found. If something my heart cherishes is taken away, I just say, “Lord, what happened?” And a hundred more appear. (St. Catherine of Siena, 1347 –1380)

I can’t say that I’m entirely there yet, but as it turns out, God is a lot more generous and redemptive than I usually think. And we have a new house to prove it!

ThriveTip

For this post I’d like to introduce you to an experience that largely unknown among evangelicals: the Prayer Labyrinth! This ancient prayer practice brings heart, mind, and body together in a simple but profound communion with God and self. Check out the link and then search online for a labyrinth near you. You'll find this a refreshingly new way to connect your heart with God's.

Takeaway

God constantly surprises us...with good.