RevGals Friday Five:Moving Toward Resurrection edition

Over at RevGals Dorcas is yearning for liturgy that enhances the season of Lent and leads us through Holy Week into Easter. (Those of us in liturgical traditions understand how powerful these liturgies are...) From that place of longing she offers this Friday Five:

Meanwhile, today I am asking for your thoughts on that movement from darkness to light. Tell us five ways in which you are anticipating, or your life is moving towards light, joy, hope--new things: new ideas, new hobbies, new people...and so on.

1. Darkness: Many years ago, at an all night prayer vigil/watch held between Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, I spent an intense hour in prayer. It was 1:00AM, and I was alone in a candle lit chilly chapel, surrounded by the consecrated bread and wine, plants, a few candles. It was the first time I had observed this "praying with Jesus in Garden of Gethsemane." It was profound. Places of darkness, while not comfortable, are always places that are leading us to new life. Like winter leads to spring, like seeds in the earth that take root in the depth of dark soil, like the times in life when we feel lost and abandoned, like Jesus in the garden. I don't like being in the darkness - because I don't know when, how, or where, new life will come. But I do know that it will come and that my job, in that darkness, is keep moving - however incrementally. And, to trust that God is working with me, holding my faith. Resurrection is the sure and certain sign that God journeys with us through all the chaos of life, and works with us to restore "order" and bring forth new life.

2. Spring: Although the weather remains chilly, rainy, and more winter-like than I'd prefer, there are buds forming on the trees and tulips pushing up through the ground. These simple signs point to the reality of the gift of darkness as a part of the path toward to resurrection.

3. Moving: In about ten days I will move, for a new job. Both my husband and I have found new jobs in the same area, which requires a move five hours east. So, we move, but are gainfully employed. In the meantime I continue to move forward some of my work with WordsMatter Expansive Language project. I am in the process of organizing a graphic designer to work on the conversation guide. Once that work is complete it will be posted on the Episcopal Church Center website in a downloadable format. My work with this project, which has been very rewarding, is winding down. Soon, my only task will be chairing the Working Group for the project. So, moving and movement, are gifts in my life that are leading toward "resurrection."

There are so many ways that my life is moving forward, wonderful and exciting ways. Spring is coming. Easter is coming. Resurrection is coming.

Comments

you're on the move in more ways than one!
angela said…
Yay!! I am so happy with you b/c I can tell even through blog voice that you have SO much to offer.

And I love what you say about darkness...however incrementally. I need to write that down and consider it. I usually avoid Good Friday service--I'm admitting I need to work on that.
RevDrKate said…
Loved hearing about your vigil experience. Glad to hear all is "moving forward" for both of you with your new adventure.
altar ego said…
Ditto what Kate said, and the image of a seed in the darkness sending out its roots and responding to warmth (and light) fills me all sorts of resurrection thoughts!

Blessings as you prepare and move to your new place!
You ARE on the move. And it's great to the the trees springing into leaf, too!
Rev SS said…
such a perfect season for you in so many ways! I'm so very happy for you.
Sharon said…
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. And thank you for sharing your experience of praying in the darkness. Sometimes I get surprised that spiritual awakenings can happen to me, and do, even though I expect them for others. It usually starts with some kind of darkness. I'm excited for your move and its possibilities!
Anonymous said…
Wow! That's a lot of moving and movement inside and out. Blessings as you process, pack and well, move.

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