Time with God

Last Friday evening I sat on my front porch and enjoyed the unexpected cooler weather. It was the perfect temperature with no humidity which allowed Sara and I to just sit and take in the sights and sounds of Key West. Before Sara arrived home from work, I was sitting out there for a little while by myself and I took that opportunity to just sit in silence with God for a bit. Do you ever do that? Do you ever take just a few minutes with no phone, no TV, no laptop, not even a book and just sit in silence with God? I don't do it often enough but when I do, I always experience a few moments of deep connection and perfect peace as I feel the Holy Spirit fill me with grace, mercy and love. 

Some of my favorite places to experience this oneness with God are during a sunrise anywhere in Key West, on the deck at sunset at a beach house we like to rent on Little Gasparilla Island off the west Coast of Florida, on my stateroom balcony on a cruise ship and in the evening on my front porch. But there are also places and spaces where I feel just as close to God, like on Christmas Eve when we light candles and sing Silent Night and at Easter Sunrise Service when the darkness gives way to light. There is something really special about the candles on Christmas Eve and the sunrise on Easter morning that provide me a perfect assurance that God is present and at work in my life and in the world. Boy, do I need that assurance a lot lately!

Every day it seems like the world is spinning more and more out of control. But the truth is, it just seems that way. In reality God has it all under control and all we have to do to bring it all back into perspective, is seek God's presence and follow God's call on our lives to share the beautiful Gospel message of love, inclusion, redemption and forgiveness with the world.

So, this week as we enter the most holy week of all the weeks on the Christian calendar, may we all seek those moments with God that reassure us and strengthen us for the work to which we are called. There are plenty of opportunities for you to find that divine connection next week.

• The beautiful music and amazing story of the Cantata on Palm Sunday.
• The Interfaith Seder Dinner that will awaken us to a new understanding of Scripture and God's call on our lives. 
• The Good Friday Musical Drama that will place you at the foot of the cross (I really hope you will give this a try. It is quite emotional and meaningful).
• Easter Sunrise Service at the White Street Pier on Easter morning.
• Easter Brunch at 9am at the Old Stone Coffee House with music and fellowship.
• The Easter Service in the sanctuary at 11am with big, bold music.
• And your own quiet time in silence with God.

I invite you to be intentional during Holy Week about finding these moments of connection with God. And here's an idea - invite a friend into some of those moments also! Jesus is too important to keep to ourselves!

“Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.” (Philippians 2:7)

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Madeline