Lately I have been forcefully reminded of the power of simply showing up. It’s a principal I know to be true from my life, but it seems like lately God is being very clear that abiding with people is a really important aspect of faith development. I’m not talking about showing up on Sundays at worship or attending every faith community event. The kind of showing up I mean is that work we do in the world of being people who reflect God’s light to others. I do this through my volunteer work, through the friendships I cultivate, and in the habits I try to have. We’ve been doing it here in Sellwood now for nearly 2 years, but it was something we practiced in our last setting too. Everyone’s way of engaging in this work will be different according to each person’s gift and call. If you want to learn more about how I do this particular work you can check out our past blog entries.
The reason I’m reminded about how important showing up is the response I’ve been getting lately. In the past 2 weeks I have had three people I have known for a while now show an interest in attending a faith event through the communities I serve. One of the people was a nurse at the clinic where I volunteer once a month. After a year of shared jokes, snippets of our stories unraveled, and hard work helping patients she asked me about coming to Capitol Hill, the traditional church where I serve half time. One year of being myself and getting to know her. It’s a lot of time and energy to put into the world, but the reason I volunteer at the clinic is not to get people to come to my church. I volunteer at the clinic to share love in the ways that I am capable of sharing love. In this case it’s checking people in for medical appointments. The nurse saw love on display and after coming to know me and trust me is willing to risk a visit to the church. This happens to me at my daughter’s school where I volunteer regularly. People see the love of God made manifest and something about that is deeply interesting and so they make an effort to connect. This happens on the board of the nonprofit where I’ve only been serving since January. Again all of the effort I put in to being present in my community is about sharing God’s love. This love is irresistible and after a time when people can begin to trust the bold and curious start engaging me in deeper ways.
This sort of work of the church is slow, slow, slow, but I am convinced it is the way forward for me. To listen attentively to God, to serve in the community where there is need, to build up more holy love in the world, and to share with others the possibilities of community is the work I am called to pursue.
I am so thankful that the core group of the Sellwood Faith Community is choosing to live in the same manner. Each person in our core group has a call to bring love and light to the world. We come together to support each other in the work and to renew our spirits. Then we go where we are sent to bind up the broken and whisper of another way. We show up in love and marvelous things unfold. May this be true of your life as well.
-Eilidh
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| My station at the clinic, where I’m powered by love and coffee. |
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