Here we are.
After the ride, we arrived in Jacksonville. Near the water. With the crowd. Gathering with similar minds with a variety of stories, of hurts, of hopes. Schedules set. Ready for the meals, the talks, the walks, the prayers.
Here we are.
Listening to songs and singing along. Hearing beliefs taught and discussed. Examining and evaluating potential changes. Learning. Processing. Hoping.
Here we are.
My favorite parts of our corporate gathering—the in-between. Between the meetings, moving from many to few, off stage, side-by-side, face-to-face. Personal conversations with individuals with real answers to the often-stated-while-not-waiting-for-an-answer question, “How are you?”
Here we are.
Away from home. Away from life being all about me or you or any one person. Away from being controlled by emotions or preferences or selfishness. Away from the norm. Away, and toward a new way—a better way of community, of listening better, of learning deeper, of welcoming change.
Here we are.
The texts became face-to-face visits. The calls became live dialogue. The email became eye contact. The distance became togetherness.
Here we are.
Likes and dislikes. A big smile and a shaking of head. A yes. A no. A list of many questions still swirling through my mind. All reminders of a community learning together as we honor and respect one another.
Here we are.
In a crowd of people. In the final week of July. In a season of doubt and defeat and depression. In a time of desperation for change. In a time of dependence on stability.
Here we are.
What will we decide? How will we change? Who will we become? How well will we love?
Here we are.
Jesus is here with us! Will we allow Him to help us listen and love? Guide our decisions? Destroy our selfishness? Heal our deep wounds? Offer us grace to receive and share?
Here we are.
I’m glad Jesus is here. And I hope we hear what He is saying in Jacksonville, to us individually, to our fellowship. I hope we hear and obey.
