Here in Central Iowa we’ve had frost a couple of nights, and
there is more on the way. Frost is late this year. According to Google, our
average first frost is Oct. 4, but this year, it was at least three weeks later
than that. We have had unseasonably warm temperatures, even breaking records
some days. (I am hoping that bodes well for a shortened winter.)
When we have frost, I can see it glistening on my deck and
on the rooftops of nearby houses. As the day begins and the sun comes up, I see
that the frost has quickly dissipated wherever the sun’s rays reached it. But
in the shadow of a chimney or other obstacle, the frost remains, leaving a
patch of frost shaped like whatever cast the shadow.
These shadows cause me to think about my life. When I stand
directly in the sunlight, I enjoy the light and soak up the warmth. If I stand
in the shadows, I feel markedly cooler, and I miss the radiance the sun
imparts. For me, it’s like my relationship with God. If I stand in the shadows,
maybe even hiding behind something, I cannot experience the deep love of God.
Oh, God’s love is not changed by shadows. We read in Romans
8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So we know God’s love is always present, but I may not be
standing where I can soak it in. I may be standing behind obstacles – things
that block my faith. Things like fear, un-forgiveness, an ungrateful heart, disappointments,
anger or simply not taking time to be present to God’s presence and everlasting
love. In a culture that so values busyness, taking the time may be our biggest
obstacle.
To keep my heart from standing in the shadows, I have to be
intentional about my time and my choices. I need to choose to spend time in
God’s presence by reading the Bible, praying and being contemplative. We all
have the opportunity to decide what spiritual practices are most comfortable
for us. And given the right frame of mind and heart, nearly anything can be a
spiritual practice.
We usually think of things like church attendance, prayer,
the Eucharist, as well as other religious activities as spiritual practices,
and they are. But the truth is, a walk around the block, noticing fall colors
and thanking God for the beauty of the changing seasons can be a spiritual
practice. Serving others, cooking a meal or baking, listening to music, yoga or
other exercise, can all be spiritual practices if they are centered on talking
to God and listening to God. I have friends who knit or crochet prayer shawls
for those experiencing illness or a rough patch in their lives, and that is one
of their spiritual practices. It is all about being aware of God’s
presence and being intentional.
Although some people actually hear God’s voice in times of
meditation or contemplation, I never have. But if I am paying attention, I
believe God brings people or things to mind that I need to be attentive to. And
as I notice people and situations around me, I can attend to needs that I may
have never noticed, had I not been intentional about noticing.
Though the frost on the roofs is beautiful, I don’t want to
stand in the shadows where it’s cold. And I do not want obstacles casting a
shadow on my life to shape me. I want to step out and stand in the light of
God’s presence.
