Piloting Faith: The thing about revelations...

A Word for the Day...

Spending time in a "thin place" on the Isle of Iona this week has made me wonder about revelation. I've spent many hours here just being still, listening for that "still small voice." I've not been disappointed, but I have been surprised by the experience. Even in the most beautiful place you can imagine, you can miss hearing the whisper of the Spirit. I've learned that what you focus on also determines what you miss.

The stories of people encountering God in the scriptures usually tell of unexpected encounters. People were going about their business and then suddenly - BAM! - God or an angel appears before them and speaks. The critical part comes next: they listen. Revelation is only possible in relationship. God speaks and a person listens. Or maybe even a person speaks and God listens?

I've never experienced God speaking to me in a booming voice or appearing to me in a way that I stop and say "Hey! That is God!" But I have often had experiences with people or our planet that leave me certain that something of God was just revealed to me. I might learn a bit more about love or grace or courage or kindness. I then usually have the sense that I am finally seeing what has been there all along.

Jesus once praised his disciples by saying, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear." It's not easy to hear the whisper of the Spirit these days, but I strongly encourage us all to try.

- Rev. Cameron Trimble, author of Piloting Church: Helping Your Congregation Take Flight

Blessing for the Week

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of God's hand.

- Traditional Irish Blessing