This morning we began the new year as a VP3 team by returning to a poem we discussed during a meeting last January. Much has occurred since we last visited with these words. And perhaps these words are more timely now then they were 12 months ago.
Our sights for 2017 remain set upon the Holy Spirit’s gracious and deepening work in the world. We have been called, in particular, to cooperate with the Spirit’s work by helping men and women discover more deeply who God is, who they are, and what God desires to do through them. An urgent work; a patient work. I suspect “Patient Trust” will continue to speak into our lives and efforts as we look ahead to 2017 and beyond.
Patient Trust
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way
to something unknown,
something new.
Yet it is the law of all progress that is
made by passing through some stages of instability
and that may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you.
Your ideas mature gradually. Let them grow.
Let them shape themselves without undue haste.
Do not try to force them on
as though you could be today what time
— that is to say, grace
and circumstances
acting on your own good will –
will make you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
Gradually forming in you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing
that his hand is leading you,
And accept the anxiety of feeling yourself
In suspense and incomplete.
by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955)
Read through this poem aloud three times:
• What jumps out to you?
• Any prayers emerging in your mind and heart for 2017?
John Sikkink On January 3, 2017 at 4:05 pm
Rob-well said-we are all on a journey never knowing when we are done but always knowing where we will end up-what a great God to wire each of us so special-thanks for being part of my life-John
Rob Loane On January 4, 2017 at 9:19 am
Figured you were looking for a good poem John. 😉 And yes, it is good to journey together… his kingdom come on earth as in heaven….
Don Morrison On January 4, 2017 at 8:18 am
le Chardin’s line that reads “We are impatient of being on the way”, I find it to be so true. If there is one thing I’ve learned in the journey is that God renews himself in us on a minute by minute basis. We need to have our spiritual antennae on alert all the time because this moment in time may be all of my tomorrows.
Rob Loane On January 4, 2017 at 9:24 am
Yes Don. Learning to be alert and attentive as well as learning to be patient along the way… lessons that require the Spirit’s ongoing tutoring in our lives.