Something is Missing

The above pic is a receipt for my food at a coffee shop the other day. I gave my name as “Peter” but as you can see that isn’t what the barista heard. Maybe it was masks, or maybe it was just me speaking too fast. Whatever the reason, this humorous misspelling of my name reminded me of two truths that are important for our spiritual lives, and are timely as we set aside extra time for worship and prayer for healing this Sunday.

First, something is missing and something is wrong. In this case, it’s a few letters from my name that are missing, and one that is wrong. In a greater sense, there is always something missing in our lives. This side of Christ’s return we are always incomplete, lacking in some way, marked by sin and the fall. This is a truth that we might seek to hide, in all manner of ways. But as John Onwuchekwa reminded us at our parish retreat, restoration and joy await us when we are honest with God about this lack and the bring our brokenness before him. 

This leads us to the second truth: when it comes to spiritual health and growth, it’s worth not taking ourselves too seriously. When someone misnames you as “Pear” you can’t help but be taken down a notch. That’s a gift of sorts. 

Whenever our pretensions to maturity and wholeness are punctured, there is an opportunity to experience the grace of God in a deeper way. As we recognize that we are not all that thought we were, that we are lacking and in need, we have the opportunity to call upon our generous heavenly Father for the healing, wholeness, and grace we need.

It is all too easy to believe the God’s healing and grace are for others. But this Sunday we have the chance to bring our own needs for emotional and physical healing, healing from past traumas, current ailments and challenges, physical or otherwise, to the Lord. Following the sermon, both in person and online, there will be the opportunity to bring our cares and needs to God.  However great or small the need, God’s invitation to his children is to call upon him. Knowing that God is good and generous, we see this above all in the sending of Jesus and the Spirit, be encouraged to consider in the next day or two how the Lord might be inviting you lift your heart to him.

In Christ, 

Peter+