Community Sharing
July 26th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »At New Leaf yesterday, we had a time of reflection on scriptures of significance to us. Leading up to the service I felt a great sense of anticipation. The biggest thunderstorm in years was roaring outside as we set up–I looked up from arranging the prayer stations to see the trees moving wildly. The wind rushed and I felt my body tense a little. This was no ordinary storm. Then the electricity blew out and those of us setting up took to lighting candles, thinking–this might become an impromptu candlelight service.
But eventually it came back down and the winds died down. It was as if the whole group of us breathed a sigh of relief. Soon more folks began trickling in.
As we sat around tables and began sharing our scriptures together, I found myself listening to stories of people’s lives, the way scripture had transformed them, and then I heard myself saying how scripture had transformed me.
I am often surprised at events such as these–to hear myself speak. To hear what is of significance to me…to hear from somewhere in myself what has been of importance. I found myself sharing, “Love your enemies” which became important mostly when I started finding myself as an adult full of relationships and challenges in those relationships. Love your enemies is no longer just a phrase, it is something that has begun to be written on my heart.
And I hope that it will one day be a way of life for me.
The way that we shared these reflections as a group was to spend time writing our reflections on bricks which we later formed a wall with during meditation time. What I saw there was a collection of meaningful expressions of scripture–a community sharing of the gospel.
Thanks be to God for yesterday, New Leaf Church!
Blessings.
Amy
