"You Belong to Me"

An excerpt from Henri Nouwen's Finding My Way Home

"A few years ago i was hit by a car and ended up in the hospital. I was feeling very uncomfortable lying on the gurney, but I didn't have any external injuries to speak of so I thought I would be released to return home. When the doctor finally examined me, he was kind but clear saying, "You might not live long. There is serious bleeding. We will try to operate but we may not succeed."

Suddenly everything changed. Death was right there in the room with me. I realized that this might be the moment of my death. I felt shocked, and there were many thoughts going through my mind until I had a further experience. I had never felt anything like it before because in the midst of my confusion and shock I became very calm, very "at rest", and there was a sort of "embrace of God" that reassured me and gently told me, "Don't be afraid. You are safe. I am going to bring you home. 

You belong to me, and I belong to you" 

I was so amazingly at peace that later that night after the surgery when I woke up in the intensive care unit, I felt extremely disappointed. I asked myself, "What am I doing here and why am I still alive?" I kept wondering what had happened to me. Gradually I realized that perhaps for the first time in my life I had contemplated my death not through the eyes of fear but through the eyes of love. Somehow, if only for a moment, I had known God, felt unconditionally loved, and I had experienced being a lover."

________________________

Jesus, as we enter this week remembering and making preparation for your death and resurrection, my prayer is that each of face the truth that one day we too must die. . .the question we must ask ourselves To whom, do I belong?  Father, as we ask this question, I pray at some point we too feel the "embrace of God".

Good Friday (death) was a reality for Jesus, of which Jesus entered determined to follow the will of God, "nevertheless not my will, but your will be done". This is the invitation and challenge for each of us to daily resolve not my will, but God your will be done. As we develop this confidence and experience the embrace of God may we too awake each day wondering "What am I doing here and why am I still alive?"

May your Holy Week journey find you very calm and at rest. May you become amazingly at peace because you know the love of God and you too experience the assurance of God saying to you:

"You Belong to Me, and I Belong to You!"

-- 

Inspired By Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community 

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".

"I Don't Need Help From Anyone!"

Did these words ever part your lips, “I can’t wait to be on my own!” or “I don’t need help from anyone!”? Maybe you have heard these words from people in your sphere – siblings, children, nieces/nephews, friends, cousins, students, employees, etc. For some reason, we’re bent on making it “by myself” even though the concept is a farce. In every aspect of life, levels of dependency exist; think about your journey from birth to the present, along the way no matter how minute, you were assisted. We will always need help from others!

Why is being helped perceived negatively?

Interdependency is unveiled throughout scripture, from the beginning God announces: “Let us make man in our image”…”Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." Jesus continues by summoning would be disciples, “Come follow me. . .” There is no precedence for doing life by one’s self, we were made for community, we were meant to be helpers, to have helpers and to be our sisters and our brothers keepers.

Instead of choosing interdependent living,

we wait until we’re forced into accepting help.

I remember underestimating my need for help while weightlifting and I put myself in danger. I began lifting a certain amount hoping to do so 3 times – the first time no problem and the second more challenging. On the third opportunity with decreased strength I was unable to move the weight upward (by myself) and it began collapsing on my neck.  I could have been severely injured or worse. . .but someone noticed me struggling and ran to help me.

Initially, I had maintained control of my situation but unexpectedly my circumstances changed and I couldn’t accomplish my goals by myself.  I was in need of help! Similarly, life happens to us, every day our circumstances are continually changing and we will often need help.  The question is will we wait until life is collapsing on our neck or will we proactively seek and accept assistance and guidance beforehand?

For safety and to avoid injury when weightlifting, it’s recommended to have a spotter. A spotter is present and in position to provide help and encouragement during each exercise. The spotter and weightlifter workout together interdependently to ensure safety and the accomplishment of goals.

We weren't made to make it by myself! Many of us are facing difficulties in life simply because we believe “I don’t need help from anyone!” As that bar stacked with weight began placing pressure and pain on my neck, I realized there was nothing wrong with being helped and that interdependency is the way to live.

“Non nobis solum nati sumus!”

“Not for ourselves alone are we born!”

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated,

but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.

Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12

We were created for interdependent living! Who’s your helper? Who’s your partner? Who’s your spotter?

 Inspired By Love,

Marcus J. Singleton

Lead  Pastor

Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith, inspired by the love the of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".