Listen more deeply!
One of the key practices in my faith journey that has really transformed my ministry is the practice of discernment. Discernment is the practice of listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. It is about paying attention and being open to where the Holy Spirit is at work amongst us. Parker Palmer has written many books that I have found helpful over the years, but his book “Let Your Life Speak” was truly inspirational. Why? Because he inspires people and gives them permission to not measure one’s worth by productivity, success, perfection, or comparison. At different times in our lives we hit a crossroad, where we may feel that we have nothing to offer, or our purpose in life is unclear, or we may feel that what we are spending our time doing is not meaningful. As people of faith, we need to listen to the words of God spoken through the prophet Isaiah. It says in Isaiah 43: 1, 4 paraphrased: “I have called you by your name you are mine! Because you are precious in my sight I honour you and I love you!” We have each been given gifts by God and we do indeed have something to offer.
How do we discern or figure out what special gifts God has given us? We need to listen more deeply! As we listen for direction from God we need to remember that being human is not the same as being useful. When we listen to someone, when we survive another difficult day, when we show kindness, when we are truly present, and when we share the truth about our struggles we have value. Palmer himself struggled with depression. He described it as the presence of darkness. He acknowledges that depression can make people believe that “I am a burden” “Nothing inside me matters” “I have no purpose” but being honest and naming these false identities can lead us to rediscover what is real and essential. For me discernment is about paying attention to moments of warmth, curiosity, peace and connection. Each one is a clue! Healing often begins when we stop trying to become someone else. We need to stop asking, “what great thing should I do with my life?” And instead ask, “What small things bring me alive today?” And remember that one’s worth does not disappear on the days your energy does. What we will discover on Sunday in worship on Pentecost Sunday is that pentecost is powerful for people who are struggling with hopelessness because the Spirit comes to ordinary, frightened, exhausted people, like the disciples who were grieving, uncertain, hiding and afraid. And yet the Spirit still said: “you have something to offer.” Not because you are perfect but because you are alive!
Parker Palmer does not tell us to try harder. He wants us to listen more deeply, for our wounds and limitations are not proof that we are failures. Sometimes they become the very places where compassion, wisdom and authenticity are born. Maybe your calling right now is not to do something extraordinary. Maybe your calling is simply to stay open to the possibility that your life still carries light - even if all you can see right now are shadows.
“Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody!” (Parker Palmer) May you listen deeply and know that you are loved by God.
Blessings,
Rev. Karen