Presence - The Discerning Life Series
by Thomas B. Grosh IV, D.Min., CMDA Northeast Regional Director
Learning how to be present begins with understanding how fully present God is with us…Listening to one another is the heartbeat of a healthy, spiritually discerning community. The fruit of listening is a culture of grace, where kindness, patience, and forgiveness reign supreme. How we interact with one another is far more important than what we do together. However, when relationships are vibrant, the work and witness bears fruit that lasts. Jesus made the promise (John 15:16), and its within our grasp to fulfill.
But we need to learn to listen first—as friends of Jesus and as friends with one another (75, 83).
i picked up Stephen A. Macchia’s The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything* for a second attempt to read during a mini-Sabbatical in late June.**
In opening Chapter 4: Presence: Spiritual Discernment is Relationship, I knew this was going to speak into my life in a deep manner. I gave significant time to pressing the pause button in order to interact with these questions drawn from a list offered toward the end of the chapter (88-89).
What am I asking?
What do I need?
What do I want?
What do I miss?
What do I regret?
What is God inviting?
I realized my desire / longing was for God’s embrace and encouragement at the
conclusion of an intense year of ministry,
unfolding of a month filled with familial responsibilities due to one of daughters marrying, and
launch of a new year of ministry.
I received not only God’s embrace, but also the affirmation of family, friends, and partners in ministry. Yes, this involved prayer, personal reflection, and interaction with those whom I am close — which has continued by the grace of God throughout the summer. Part of what I learned over the course of this busy season of transition has been the importance of regular focused times of listening to God. As you may remember, the next chapter, i.e., Hospitality, hit the mark.
Looking for a time of listening to the Lord, personally and / or as part of the people of God? Prayerfully consider attending the CMDA Northeast Annual Conference on October 28-30 at Sandy Cove (North East, MD) and invite members of your CMDA community to do likewise. I look forward to what the Lord has ahead of us as we explore Resilience with Dr. Janet Kim.
Keep worshiping, fixing your eyes on, and pressing on in the upward hope of Christ Jesus. To God be the glory!
*Follow The Discerning Life tag for additional CMDA Northeast posts in The Discerning Life series. For related chapter resources offered by Leadership Tranformations, Inc., including a podcast and video, visit this page.
**For an insightful piece on mini-Sabbaticals listen to Emotionally Healthy Vacations: The Antidote for Vacations that Leave You Empty and Dry, a podcast by Pete Scazzero. The photo was taken during this time of rest.
