Dan. 5:1-12; 1 John 5:1-12; Luke 4:38-44

In the midst of Luke we see Jesus healing so many.  Not surprisingly, Luke, most likely a physician, zoned in on Jesus’ command of the physical world.  His earthly ministry is seen in such color and vibrancy in Luke’s gospel.

But it is here we also see Jesus isolating himself.  We get a sense that there is a time to be in community and a time to remove oneself from the mix.  “At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place.  And the crowds were looking for him….”

Jesus reminds us that there is a rhythm to life.  There is a time to be with people, and a time to be by oneself.  This is the spiritual life cycle of any believer, introvert or extrovert.  God speaks to us in different ways when we are alone, or when we are engaged in community.

Finding spiritual maturity means finding a balance between these two.

One of the joys of being Presbyterian is seeing the Holy Spirit REFORMING the Church at all times.  Our polity changes as our needs as a church change.  Some see this as Jesus finally showing up, touching the church, and healing it.  Others feel like Jesus has deserted us and view certain changes within the church as evil.

I trust in the process, and the speaking of the Holy Spirit through the voice of God’s people.  I mean, are we going to believe God is real, or aren’t we!?

The rhythm of our life together means that sometimes this becomes a push and pull, for systems don’t like change.  It also means God is going to speak to us in different ways at different times in history, and we best be OK with that.

Our new lives together mean that we will need to reach out to God in new ways, and seek continued guidance from the Holy Spirit.

May God bless us in our coming and our going, in our struggles and in our celebrations.

-Matt