Monday, October 23, 2006

Athlete of God

This week, I was reminded of my love for the dancing and wisdom of Martha Graham, who revolutionized modern dance.
Read how she articulates the value of each one of us coming to know our calling:

"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost."

For those of us who believe in the Holy Spirit's quickening, this is a powerful image. God has created you uniquely. What do you love to do? What are you longing to do? What is it that God is longing for you to do so that it may not be lost?

If you can name it, then the task is to figure out how to do it. Sometimes, we don't get to living out our dreams in one quick jump. Often, it takes many daily steps to get there. And Martha has some words about living a life of practice, too.

"We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God."

An athlete of God. I love that phrase. I'm not really even much of an athlete but I am still learning the value of living with disciplines. What is it that you want to say "no" to in order to say "yes" to something else? What do you want to practice? Something life-giving, something new, something that helps you not only "find" yourself or your purpose but create yourself...

Today, there are snow flurries over Chicago. The leaves in the sugar maples are shockingly red and gold. Many leaves have already fallen underfoot. It is cold and gray outside and warm indoors. It's a moment of the year when many grow quiet and reflect on life and death. In the midst of all this, may the Spirit come and quicken your spirit. May you sense a place where God helps you to learn to live and coaches you on in the disciplines that give you life. May you run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. I hope you dance.

With you in the gym, track, dance studio,
Pastor Joy

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