The Call to “Come”
Pam Robison of Independence, MO, USA
You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives. -Doctrine and Covenants 151:9
A number of years ago, I was deeply hurt. It wasn’t just a personal hurt, but it left me wondering if there was a place for me in the church. I went into a very dark place and had a lot of anger, even some feelings of hatred.
I struggled with forgiving. I would take some small steps towards forgiveness, but then something would happen, and the anger and bitterness would well up again. It’s taken years-and God’s constant love and encouragement-to finally be able to completely forgive those who had hurt me so badly.
A while back I was in an experience dealing with the mystic Catherine of Sienna. As part of the presentation, we were asked to find a special place; and I found myself facing the altar in the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral. That altar has the word “Forgiveness” and a cross of nails on it. I realized I had come to the point of forgiving where I could walk through a (nonexistent) door in the altar and down a hall with many doors, finally finding myself in front of a door that called to me.
Over the last few months I’ve found myself opening the door and taking tentative steps into the room, uncertain of what I would find or where I was being called. I have stepped into darkness, but it is not a harsh darkness, merely an uncertainty. There is something of beauty and transformation calling me to follow the Spirit’s call. And the Spirit’s call is to “come,” to move from the darkness of the uncertainty toward (and into) the increasing brightness that culminates in the wonderfully bright and powerful light of the love of God.
Prayer Phrase
“Attention is the beginning of devotion” (Mary Oliver).
Spiritual Practice
Holy Attention
Engaging in the practice of holy attention allows us to suspend our inner conversations and agendas and give reverent and receptive focus to a specific person or portion of God’s creation. Regarding another as an unrepeatable miracle whose life journey is unique and sacred brings awareness to and affirmation of God’s presence in all creation. We do this in the spirit of Christ who saw into the deep hearts of people and recognized their true identities as God’s beloved. Spend time this day in prayerful attention to God’s creation, to the people in your life, and to your daily surroundings.
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.
