From Scarcity to Abundance
Zac Harmon-McLaughlin, Community of Christ Seminary Director
So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. -Ephesians 2:17-22
What would it look like if we changed our mentality from strategic-thinking problem solvers to people who approach every new situation with an attitude of deep, authentic love? What would it feel like to walk into church on Sunday, not with a critical gaze toward all that needs correcting, but instead, to see the people and let “I love them” be the first thought to enter our minds?
I’m not advocating that we let issues go or avoid the need to make course corrections, but I am advocating that we lay down our spirit of scarcity and pick up a spirit of abundance. The church is not dying, but our passion and attentiveness may be waning. God’s enduring Spirit has not left us alone, but our willingness to be attentive to the movements of God may be stifled. When we live in a place of scarcity, all seems to be lost. When we move to a place of noticing God all around us and in all things, our vision is transformed. We see abundance!
In Luke 5, Jesus encourages his disciples to cast their nets into the deep. The disciples are blown away by this. They have been fishing all night and have caught nothing. Then, because of an awareness of invitation, they cast their nets into the deep and catch so much that they almost sink their boat! Is this not how it works with life in the Spirit?
We have been “fishing” for years in shallow water, and Jesus has been shouting to us, “Try going deeper!” Our response is, “But Jesus, that’s so much work…and we’ve been working for so long…and we are tired!” The good news is this: God invites us into the deep-that place just beyond the point where we have exhausted our own efforts.
The abundance of a deep life with God is not something we create on our own. It is something we discover! What might happen if we choose the radical act of living with no agenda and courageously love our neighbors and explore the depth of each other’s lives?
Prayer Phrase
“Light dawns on a weary world.” CCS 240
Spiritual Practice
The Light of God
Epiphany invites us to focus on the light of God. Close your eyes and draw your attention to your breath. As you breathe gently in and out, reflect on the statement, “The light of God is in all things.” The light has a bright, soft beauty and radiates God’s healing love. The light of God reaches you and permeates you with a deep sense of peace. Rest in the light as it surrounds and fills you. Thank God that you live in God’s light and it lives in you.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
