Connections

It's funny how I have to learn some things over and over. You'd think that by the time a person is turning 50 that they might have learned some essential points about living. Well, I certianly have, but somethings just keep hammering me over the head until I say ok. It's like the old Jewish teaching between a rabbi and a student. The student says, "Rabbi, why does it say in Torah that YHWH's words are written on our hearts? Shouldn't YHWH's words be written IN our hearts?" The Rabbi replies, "YHWH has to write the words ON our hearts because our hearts are so hard. The more we learn YHWH's words, the deeper they are etched, until one day they break through the shell into the core." So it is with me and with my learning about the importance of connection. This past weekend was "Change the World" weekend; maybe you participated in it? Churches all over America sent out their congregants into the world to do good deeds. Since it was also Pentecost, the shirts were red in color, and the "fire" burned bright. The importance of the day wasn't the deeds that were done, however, it was the time spent together, connected to each other and to other faith communities, that was truly important. Think about it...in our individualistic world, when does such a thing happen, especially on a large scale? We also confirmed seven young people (2 of whom were baptized as well) yesterday into membership with the church. Connected together with these committed 8th Graders, I had a sense of "rightness" and peace. I felt energized by the work of the Spirit and "knew" that what we were engaged in was right with YHWH. YHWH created us to be in connection to each other and to the larger world. United Methodists talk much about "being in connection" as part of our church's doctrine. However, we tend to fall away from connection to those who are unlike us, who struggle with life, who choose different lifestyles, or who are challenging to be around. Our hearts are indeed hard like the ancient Hebrews who cursed Moses for leading them into the desert, and cursed G-d for giving them manna to eat. It is easy to become disconnected, isn't it? Yet, days like happened this weekend can go a long way to reconnecting us (me). Life would be easier if we could always remember our connectedness to one another. A connection that comes from Creator to each and every one of us. Remembering this connectedness is the key (IMHO) to solving the worlds problems and to finally breaking our hearts of stone. Something to work on this week, I think. Peace for the journey, Dan