Dear Church,
People who pray find their work purposeful.
I have a friend who loves to work in his large vegetable and flower garden. He talks
about needing "garden time." I say to him, "That's your therapy."
Working and laboring for a purpose brings satisfaction. (For an example of working for
no purpose, read atheist Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus.)
In praying, God gives me work orders. In the praying room with God, I receive his
kingdom plans and purposes. Life-purpose grows as I pray in the garden of God's
presence.
Presence is prior to purpose. Purpose comes out of prayerful presence. In praying, I
hear the call of God to "Go," or "Do." Famously, my doing emerges out of my being. My
activity emerges from my praying times with God. Allow me to illustrate.
Linda and I enjoy food shopping together. I like collaborating with her about meal
planning. She mostly has a better sense about this than I do. Klondike bars only go so
far when it comes to nutrition.
Sometimes, I food shop without Linda. She appreciates this. I embark carrying a list of
items we need, authored mostly by her. But, alas, I have sometimes gone into the food
wilderness without a list. At this point, anything is possible.
For example, I went to the store to pick up items I thought we needed. I had not
consulted Linda. Like a sojourner in a strange land, I was in the store, listless.
I came to the aisle containing spaghetti sauces. I marveled at the wide variety of
choices shelved before me. We need, I thought, spaghetti sauce.
When I arrived home with a few bags of groceries, I proudly showed them to my wife.
“Look at this,” I said, as I pulled out a jar of spaghetti sauce. I handed it to Linda. She
took it, walked to the cupboard, and placed it next to six jars of the same sauce.
I cannot remember her response. I am certain it was gentle, as she found the strength
to say, “John, no more spaghetti sauce, please.”
Lesson (hopefully) learned (again)!
Henri Nouwen was once asked, “Why did Jesus pray?” Nouwen responded, “To find out
what the Father wanted him to do.”
My friends, refuse to go forth into the arena of ministry without first consulting your
heavenly Father.
Love,
PJ
PURPOSE
Discern what the Father is doing.
Join him there.
Ponder the implications of John 5:19-20.
From my book 31 Letters to the Church on Praying.