We live (as we confess in the Apostles’ Creed) in “the communion of saints.” In the communion of saints our teachers, our encouragers, our sources of inspiration are both unbound by time (i.e., they are the living and those who have died) and unbound by geography, culture, language, or any other boundary we may encounter in our earthly journey.
One of my teachers (a contemporary) is a retired Methodist minister living in Maine. Steve Garnaas-Holmes has a way with words shaped by his experiences of God’s unconditional love. I encourage you to check out his daily reflections on Unfolding Light. Here is a sample from his post today (February 10, 2022).
Before God judges you
God loves you.
Before God sees your sin
God sees your wound.
Before God sees how you thrashed in the world
God sees what you are fighting off.
Before God sees you steal
God sees your hunger.
Before God sees the awful things you do to survive
God wants you to survive.
Before God punishes you
God protects you from further hurt,
because God never punishes,
but wraps gentle arms around you.
God’s judgment is always
that you need more love.
“Judgment” on Unfolding Light, a daily reflection posted by Steve Garnaas-Holmes (dated 02/10/2022).
Hear what the Spirit is saying 