Let Us Remember
Reflection on Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Six months. It has been just over six months since life became very different. Sometimes if feels like forever.
The Psalmist's words bring an image of the Israelites wandering in the desert, and that story is so relatable right now. And then, I'm almost ashamed to relate my circumstance to 40 years of wandering. But that's what this feels like at times. Miles and miles of the same terrain with little diversity or change in site.
But, then the word ancestors makes me think of the people who have gone before me, before us. I'm reminded of their deliverance, their answers from God, their celebrations, their stories of transformation. And, their waiting. Their waiting through famines, through war, through lots of unknown.
And, then I'm strangely comforted, even though each of our situations are compounded with various levels of difficulty specific to our circumstance, I'm reminded that collectively, we are all waiting on one thing:
As the John Mayer songs says, "We Are Waiting on the World to Change."
When my spirit feels flat like the desert, dry and dusty, I find myself asking questions and sometimes, when the energy is there, calling out to God - when will you part the sea? Or, if the sea parting is too much, what about just a little stream of water from a hard rock? To show me you are God, to let me know it'll be okay.
Then I remember what God has done in my past. The times the Holy One has whispered a new knowing or come through with flying colors bringing me into a new promised land. Why do I forget so easily? And, then my remembering turns to a prayer.
I feel the need, the desire to write these moments down - the moments when God came through. This helps me to see the pattern, the true nature of our faithful God, by re-reading the Holy moments in my life. This also helps to restore my hope.
And so I'm encouraged, to wait on the Lord. I feel my spirit lighten and feel stronger all at the same time. Just as my ancestors, my grandparents and my parents told me stories of "God moments" in their life, I notice a desire in me to want to tell my nieces what God has done, what God will do.
I also notice my seriousness, and then laugh as another song comes into my awareness: "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor.
We will!
I wonder what God is wanting you to remember today? What promise? What time of deliverance? How can that memory restore your hope for today?
May we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Amen.
Prayer for Our Community
"Dear Holy One. You have done great things for us. We forget you’ve parted seas for us, that you’ve split rocks open. You’ve done so many glorious deeds. Yet, we get caught in the darkness. We get pressed down. Renew our memories, ignite our passion for your Holy Spirit. May we be expectant recalling that you indeed do the unimaginable. You heal. You restore. You make people who are unknown to the world known in your sight. Give us new eyes to notice what you’re doing. Help us pay attention. Show us how we might be ready to receive, to collaborate with your goodness. And then equip us to tell those who need to hear of your goodness. Through our conversations, our writings, our prayers and our hope. We love you Oh Lord. Show us your glory. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Emily Turner is a Trained Spiritual Director, Writer and Retreat House partner.
Listen to Rev. Dr. Lil Smith's Guided Meditation for Praying the Lectionary for Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Invitation
As you experience the practice of praying the lectionary, adopt a loving, caring and compassionate stance. If the end of your prayer and meditation time is not pointing to love and hope, there is more work to do. Keep wrestling. God is faithful to your journey. Love and hope will emerge. Be gentle with yourself and befriend any judgment that arises in you.
This excerpt was taken from a weekly meditation. To sign up to receive these, email us.
"So that we may live lives worthy of the Lord and please God in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."
- Rooted in Colossians 1:10