Dear Faith Family,
This past weekend, Lily and I had the chance to get out into the woods of East Texas with a group of her classmates and their dads. By God's grace, we avoided rain and significant injury--for the most part!--and ended up having a truly beautiful and enjoyable time together in the wild wooded pines.
Thank you to all who made it possible for Lily and me to be a part of this camping trip! Especially those who took on the Gathering responsibilities. Thank you, Chaz, for preaching, Kyler for leading us in worship through song, Amberley for making sure our kiddos were cared for, Steven for running the slides, and the many more who helped in various ways. Because of you, we could step out of the city and into what felt like a different world.
Among the many things we noticed in this different world was how noisy it was, especially at night. And I'm not talking about the incredible decibels produced by eighteen fourth-grade girls let loose in the woods! No, it wasn't our noisiness we noticed, but the sounds of life that caught our attention.
There were no street lights, car noises, homes, or even RVs where we stayed. Just the stars and darkened forest, and a medley of sounds cascading through the trees, buzzing, chirping, croaking, and rustling all around us.
On our second evening, sitting at the campfire, we were all talking about these nightly noises. Some of us were surprised by the volume, others nervous because of the unknown, and a few were intrigued enough to try and shine a light on the orchestra. But none of us considered the nocturnal sounds of the night as something for us to join. That is until we thought about what Jesus said about the birds and the lilies.
Remember the story in Matthew 6? Jesus speaking with his friends and followers along the wild mountainside, removed from the noises of daily life, had them look around and see the freedom of living things. He pointed out how the birds never worried about a meal, nor were the flowers anxious for their covering; instead, both were free to go about their living because God knew them, formed them, loved them, and ensured they had the best of what they needed. Then Jesus reminded his friends and followers that what is true of the wild things is even more true for each of them. That God knows them, formed them, loves them, and they will discover that all "these things" of daily living "will be added to you" as they go about seeking a life with Him.
Laying in our tents that last night, our minds wondered as our ears filled; we were earwitness to the symphony of freedom in God's love and care. Each of the creatures sang out as they went about their living without worry about what might be or grief of what could have been, but free as God's beloved creation. And as we listened, we were invited to join in the melody, to express to God, as his creatures, all the noise in our hearts and minds as we go about living--anxieties, cares, praises, petitions, and the like--and to rest in the peace of wild things. And rest well we did, even in a tent!
What Lily and I got to experience this weekend isn't reserved for the woods. Even in our city, there is no shortage of wild creatures rooming, crawling, and buzzing about, as well as green and colorful things growing all around. So, this week, take notice of them. Watch them scurry about or shimmer in the sun, and when, in the night, the noise of daily living fills your head and heart, join in the song of the cicadas--or barking dog or chirping crickets! Add to the symphony and rest in the grace that permeates the world in which God who knows you, formed you, loves you, and provides you all that you need in Jesus.
And, if technology or roads or neighbor make it hard to hear, just use your imagination*! Find a memory of a warm summer's night or cool autumn's dusk when you listened to the sounds of life in the woods like Lily and I did. Now, lay down there, and find that you are free in life with God and God for you.
Love you, faith family! Thank you again for this past weekend. God bless!
*If you need some help imagining or just want encouragement to get into the wild more often, I recommend this poem from Wendell Berry. I've got a copy hanging up in my house for just that very purpose!
THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS
When despair for the world grown in m
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life
and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the Wood Drake
rests in his beauty on the water,
and the Great Heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives
with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water,
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
Waiting with their light.
For a time
I rest in the grace of the world,
and am free.