Lent Day 10--March 3, 2012

Lenten Reflection for Day 10

Date: Saturday March 4, 2012

Author: Mike Harris

Bible Passage: Acts 2:42–45 (NRSV)

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Reflection:

My worship experience has two sides to it. One side has witnessed a range of churches and congregations, all with a few things in common. In churches that I have been a member of, pockets of people exist within each specific church, who socialize more in smaller groups of like-minded individuals. Some of these groups crusade for the church to take on their identity in some variety, creating all sorts of intra-congregational disputes.

The other side of worship that I have experienced wasn’t in a church at all. It was outside, exposed to the elements. The community assembled there included people from a range of churches and congregations. Some weren’t members at all, hadn’t attended a worship service, or even been baptized. This place is Calumet. The nature of Calumet is an organic lineage of mentors and mentees. This created a common identity, spanning multiple generations and social statuses. This network of people, despite being so different, created a greater whole that was greater than the sum of the parts. Getting each other’s backs took precedence over watching our own. We weren’t united by a message from God, or a miracle we saw. Instead we were united by a single purpose: peace of mind.

We found that all it took was a general interest in each other’s well being, some active listening, dividing someone’s troubles, and multiplying each other’s excitement. Without being conscious of it, we were doing was God’s work. We employed a mentality that morale needed to be high. What we were left with were the miracles and what we understood later to be the message. Those who started in pain, nine weeks later felt joy. Those who believed they were lost found direction. Through us, the Holy Spirit grew with every addition to the network of people and our lives improved. We activated each other’s creativity, morality, and compassion via the Holy Spirit. We valued each other more than anything.

I don’t think one can approach fellowship from the top down. Meaning, it doesn’t work by creating a mission for all to unite under. Under this method unity is only possible if everyone initially relates to the missions’ position. I believe that fellowship happens from the bottom up. By using our God given gifts to enable the minds around us to feel at peace, we will better sense our common thread, which is God’s influence - and what it ties us to: each other.

Prayer:

God, sometimes life makes me think I have to compete against everyone in order to survive. Help me instead realize how I am a resource to others. Guide my mouth to say what I actually mean, my actions to represent my true intentions and my awareness to sense how to be good in all situations. Encourage me to transcend above adversity instead of transforming into it. Help me not waste time thinking of ways to possess the high ground over some one else. Instead help us to coexist on the same level. Thank you for the opportunity to arrive at peace.