Moved By the Spirit

I have found that in the past while the Spirit has been moving in me in a deep and profound way. It has been a long time of not really feeling God and having to move on faith to make sure I stayed as close as I could to Him. I have found there are times that I can be not expecting to be struck by God then I find myself moved to tears by His love and presence!

One of these such times I was in church the weekend before camp. I was a little late (punctuality is not one of my strong characteristics) and worship was just ending and announcements were beginning. I go to church alone most Sundays, which can be a very lonely time and I find if I am not careful that can lead to a bit of bitterness while I am at church. I was standing in the back of the church by myself, while the pastor lead the congregation in communion (It is a big church so it takes awhile). I stood feeling bitter and thinking they would forget about us latecomers and single people and debated whether I would even take communion this weekend. Was I in a place to accept it? As the ushers brought the grape juice and crackers to us it was as if I had no choice but to partake. As I took each in my hands I instantly began to weep – tears rolling down my face and neck and all! The moment I accepted communion that Sunday I had an image in my mind of Ireland where there are place you can feel the connection between heaven and earth and felt so loved and cherished it consumed me and I cried at the beauty of it all!

On the Sunday after this last camp was finished I was chatting with a good friend and fellow camp worker. I think we were talking about serving and why we serve (as was taught in Mentorship that weekend). I was saying how we need to be willing to listen to God and to respond to His call for us. Then I realized the very noble call on our lives as God’s children and followers of Jesus and I struggles to speak because I was so moved by it (and the fact that I, again, began to weep!). God is love and we are called to be love to others. How noble is that? That our job it to BE love? Is there a more noble call our there? Is there any other fight worth fighting? Personally, I don’t think so. I have noticed lately how often our own pride and selfishness leads us into conflict with others. Any other fight leads to ourselves and if it only the self that was worth fighting for how horrible this world would be!!

I have been praying since than for God to help me to have great love for the people has brought into my life: my family, my co-workers, my beloved babies. If you ask Him to fill you with love for others, He will. I would rather love than be bitter with people or enter into petty arguments that can fracture friendships. Try it. I think you’ll be amazed my what He will bring you!

Sending love, blessings and prayers to all!

- shelley