This day began with a rehearsal of where I have been in my spiritual journey up to this point and with a meditation on some of the  influences that have contributed to my spiritual formation. This rehearsal was not done in the privacy of my own prayer closet. It took place as a conversation over a meal.

It is interesting to me that this year’s spiritual trek is being done as much in community as it is being done in personal reflection. I have been practicing the disciplines of confession and guidance as much as I have practiced the disciplines of prayer, fasting and study. That’s new. That’s a change. That’s uncomfortable. That’s good.

The future…I think… is going to include a challenge to deeper transparency and connection that I have ever practiced before. I think this deeper level involves more than just me. It is a corporate thing for the whole church. That means the future is going to require more vulnerability and trust than I have ever practiced before. It’s honestly a little scary and then a little exciting.

WHAT DOES THE WORD TRANSPARENCY DO TO YOUR INSIDES?

Here is what I have been listening to in my opening prayer time.

I guess it helps me to know that Jesus knows all our stuff anyway and He still offers us an open invitation to intimacy.