In The Midst Of

In the past few weeks three friends have passed from this world into the "what's next."
I have my own sense of what that looks like for them, and I think it's far, far better than here, but that's not the point of what I want to say.
Two other good friends have been diagnosed with cancer recently. 
Another family we are very close to is working through the loss of their child because of a miscarriage.
I do not have any answers as to the timing of any of these moments or much else associated with...."Why?"....and I don't expect that I ever will.  
Honestly, I don't think that's why we're here.  
I think that what we're supposed to do instead of offer answers, is to support each other, while we're on this side, together, 

and "in the midst of"...well... EVERYTHING.

And in this way we hold onto God with one hand and hold onto those we love

with our other hand AND become a bridge of peace for them.

We ask for needs to be met.

We ask for healing, not only in the physical, but in depths of their hearts, and 

in their spirit.

And in this space of surrender we are linked into greater answers than we could ever offer.

And into plans that work together for the good of all.

In big things and little.

So that as Skye Jethani said,

"We are not merely passive set pieces in a prearranged cosmic drama, but we are active participants with God in the writing, directing, design, and action that unfolds on the stage of history." 

I have thought about my prayers.  

And about our prayers as a church so often. 

And what they accomplish.

Attached is an image.

There is one in the center, surrounded by several from different races and generations, but through grace, 

ALL ONE FAMILY.

The one in the middle was broken before us,

and we were gathered around him, without knowing the answer to "Why?"...and we prayed.
How does that help?  I don't fully know how to answer to that, but I think it's one of the best

things that the church does...or can do.

I discovered recently that the definition of the word, "prayer" in the original Greek can mean,
"An exchange of wishes."
It pre-supposes our will is a part of the process
It pre-supposes we are listening to Him.

It pre-supposes He is listening to us.
It pre-supposes we actually share what's in us
It pre-supposes we are seeing what's truly happening around us
It pre-supposes we are bendable
It pre-supposes we have a relationship to God and each other
It pre-supposes we care about what's in the heart of God
It pre-supposes He cares about what's in our heart

The more I think about it, the bigger the idea of prayer becomes.

Paul wrote this to the church in Corinth a long, long time ago,

but I think it's still helpful thinking,

"We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

There it is.

We're not the answer-givers.

...we're the bridge to the one who is.  

Until the day when we too see him face to face, eye to eye, AND

There's no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain.