Dearly Beloved,
Grace and Peace to you.
Well, I’ve moved to a new place. New geography, new culture. Different rules, new license plates. Yesterday I heard a bird song I’ve never heard before. Today I start as pastor of a church I’ve only visited once. I still haven’t found some stuff I hope I packed. I’m a little disoriented. But I’m still here. Still in the Presence. Because we always are. The Holy Presence enfolds us, infuses us, embraces us, always and everywhere. Jesus said, “I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.” All that changes is our awareness. We forget the deeper reality, the Truly Real. So we stop, and practice being aware.
You may also be in a new place, or at least a new “place.” Or you may be in a place you haven’t left for 40 years. Either way, where you are is Here. And the Holy Mystery is with you. In this moment, as you read this computer screen, God enfolds you, embraces you, includes you, with infinite delight. Stop everything else, just stop, and be here now. Stop as you stop to smell a lilac bush you are passing, stop as you would to see an arresting sight, and simply gaze. God is here, now, in this place, loving you. Soak that in for a while.
And as you go on, pray that no matter how busy you are today, no matter where you go, no matter how far you move from where you are this moment, you will still be here. Now, in the moment you are in. In the Presence.
Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve
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Copyright © Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Light
www.unfoldinglight.net