One of our Companions on the Way wrote to me last December:

“Once I said to a person who didn't believe there was a God, that I know there is a God in my guts. I wonder if Contemplative Fire helps people to discover and experience the God that dwells within their hearts or "their guts" and not just "out there", a God who is external or contained in the walls of a building. And I wonder if doing this in community enables people to discover and experience the God who dwells in the hearts or "guts" of those travelling with them.”

An elderly parishioner in a traditional parish said to me last week:

“I’ve been going to church for well... more than 40 years and it is only in the last few years I’ve begun to discover Jesus. God was always out there somewhere, but now Jesus is, well this is different.” I touched my chest. “In here?” She nodded. “Yes, so different.”

I often offer a large and simple body prayer of sweeping my arms all around and then bringing them to a traditional prayer position at heart centre. God is everywhere. God is within. How beautiful. How simple. How beyond my understanding, yet the ground of my being.

The challenge of life, is not to stay alive but to stay in LOVE.

(adapted from Rob Voyle and Appreciative Inquiry)

The challenge of life is to stay deeply grounded in LOVE within us, seeing LOVE within others, knowing LOVE sustaining the world, even when all around us seems in turmoil and tears. Living from our ‘guts’, the deepest part of our being.

What helps you keep your eyes set upon LOVE, upon the Beloved, the Source of all Life, the Sustainer, the Mystery, the Spirit, Jesus?

Draw a deep breath, and with me find your rest in LOVE for one simple moment. And then again. Seeking to continue to stay in LOVE as you move through you day. Gutsy way to live, isn’t it?

Love and prayers

Anne

The Revd Anne Crosthwait