Friday, June 12, 2015

Spellbound

As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."
Then he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling things there; and he said, "It is written,
'My house shall be a house of prayer';
but you have made it a den of robbers."
Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people kept looking for a way to kill him; but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were spellbound by what they heard. Luke 19:41-48

Yesterday I flew into Albuquerque and drove up to Farmington. I collected my friend Chan at the Episcopal Church in Navajoland offices and we headed up to Bluff, Utah and St. Christopher's where convocation is being held. The day had been stormy early and the rivers were very swollen. The sights along our way, although I have seen them many times, were mesmerizing. We missed a turn because we were spellbound by the scenery. God's glorious creation, made us catch our breath at every turn.

Jesus was teaching and the people were spellbound. They were caught up by the near presence of God and the beauty that was transforming their hearts. We were caught up by the Creator's natural beauty and they were caught up by love. God's love for them was so tangible, so real, that they couldn't help but be caught up. God invites us today to be caught up, spellbound by love.

Today I ask God to help me see the love that surrounds us as we gather today. May we embrace the beauty that is within us and around us, trusting that God is moving through us and bringing love where it is needed most.

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