In light of the Covid 19 crisis, our Ancient Streams monthly meeting for March is cancelled. We want to respect the government’s directives to remain isolated as much as possible in order to keep down the spread of the virus. This is certainly a time to pray for our country and the world situation, especially for those most vulnerable and all those who are working in healthcare.
Interesting times we are in–where people are being encouraged to isolate; our pace of life slowed down; many of our normal activities and entertainments reduced. At the same time, there is an invitation being given to us in the midst of this crisis. How might this more spacious place many of us find ourselves in, be an opportunity to discover God’s presence where we hadn’t noticed it before? “How are you here, Lord–both in consolation and desolation, the light and the darkness of this season?”
I’m finding a daily examen prayer helps me discover God’s presence in the seemingly “small” aspects of my day–the bright sunshine, the birds chirping away, the tiny buds sprouting on the trees, an encouraging telephone conversation, a passage of scripture… Likewise an examen prayer helps me get in touch with and release to God all my feelings regarding the big events of this pandemic–fears, uncertainly, stress from getting caught up in the turmoil. In the end, I find peace once again in our God who is over all and continues to embrace us in love.
Last week when churches and even small gatherings were being asked not to meet, our daughter said to me on the phone, “Now, Mom, we get to see how our practices sustain us.” Good point. Her comment draws out the question: what practices are sustaining me at this time? Has Scripture become a brighter light to my path? How has prayer deepened for me these days? Is creation and the coming of spring blessing me in fresh ways? Do I find myself praying for the world where before my focus was smaller?
I wonder what practices God is drawing us to in this unprecedented time. How might these new habits help us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2a)? He is our life, our hope, and our sustaining presence.
Ancient Streams 