May 15 (John 8:21-30) Blog Post

May 15 (John 8:21-30)

These days, I'm more interested in process than answers, the presence of God and my presence to God rather than making sure I haven't misstepped. I am buoyant in the ocean of God's presence– it's familiar; I've been in this water before– only this time, my feet aren't touching the bottom (they scurry underneath me like duck's feet desperate for the feeling of secure footing). Though it can be scary to float (rather than stand) in the flood of God's process and presence, I'm learning to enjoy the safety that surrounds and carries me more than the sensation of secure, familiar footing. I offer these observations guided by a mindfulness exercise I was recently shown. You can reflect on what I write, but I invite you to do your own version of this exercise with Scripture or during any moment in your day when might need an intentional reset.

May our God bless the imaginative reading of His word.  

5 Things I See:

• A heated crowd of people with mixed motives and agendas surrounding Jesus.

• Jesus speaking confidently, wild-eyed, with a smirk, elusively dodging the crowd pressing in on him.

• Within the crowd, several clusters of opinionators discussing the words of Jesus, some gripping their knives and stones plotting to finally slay this heretic

• I imagine the clouds of heaven rolling to and fro as the Father peers from his throne with fierce delight at the Beloved  

• A wave of belief emanating from Jesus through the crowd, melting many of the onlookers into awe and belief as he pulls back the veil and reveals his identity as the Son of God

4 Things I Hear:

• Shouts of anger

• Gasps and muffled curses at the controversial words of Jesus

• The rustinling of bodies and robes in fiery debate

• Songs of joyful belief

3 Things I Touch:

• The dust between my toes and the leather of my sandal

• The palpable bodyheat of friends and strangers hanging on every word of this Beautiful Outlaw

• The fabric of my tunic and robe between my fingers as I anxiously fidget waiting to hear how this debate will unfold

2 Things I Smell:

• Pita bread and chickpeas roasting in the nearby market (we are in the surrounding towns of Jerusalem - 8:1)

• The musk of sweaty feet, baked stones, and dusty robes

1 Thing I Feel:

• A tight chest and a pit in my stomach knowing the gravity of Jesus's words to the harsh crowds