Deep Breathing for the Soul

I’m writing a book on the Old Testament–a bible reference-y sort of thing. I put 100 words from the text under the microscope, one at a time, to see what they meant then, what they mean now, what the Hebrew context was, why it matters to us today.

I knew this already, but this project is driving it home–the Old Testament fairly shines with God’s deep concern for the disenfranchised, the poor. The phrase “orphans, widows and the fatherless” rings through the historical books, the poetry and the prophets. Often, another group mentioned with this triad is “the alien” or “foreigner.” Always, the bible counsels mercy and compassion toward these people groups.

The Bible has a lot to say about how we treat foreigners. So I was eager to go to church last night to hear a discussion about immigration.

Matt Soerens, of World Relief, and author of Welcoming the Stranger, was there to be interviewed by Bill Hybels and Heather Larson, Willow’s director of compassion ministries.

It’s a loaded issue, one that polarizes our society and has potential to polarize our church. I appreciated Bill’s reminder that we have tackled thorny issues before: women in leadership, the AIDS crisis, racial reconciliation, global poverty, and so on. Willow is bold to ask the questions about what it means to bring the kingdom on earth.

Willow has not landed on a position, but is asking our congregation to think about what it means to love your neighbor, and to become more educated about the issue of immigration.

I was so proud of my church. while other churches might ignore controversy, my church says, the fastest-growing ministry in our church is one that serves some brothers and sisters who may happen to be undocumented, so we need to take a look at this issue. there are no easy answers, but I’m glad to be a part of a church that is asking the questions.

I’d love to have you watch the discussion our church had last night. You can see and here it by clicking here.

I can be a very task-oriented person. I love words, facts, ideas. As a result, I’m a good communicator, a strong writer. But because of those strengths, I can end up, if I’m not careful, lonely, isolated.

This summer I have two huge writing projects on my desk. And I’m working away on them (which is one reason why you haven’t seen much from me on this blog lately). But I try to take time in each day for some face time (not just Facebook) with friends, my kids and husband. I need to connect with real people in my real life, to talk, to listen, to do things together.

So I took my kids to the city to go out to breakfast and then to visit Willow’s Chicago campus. I went bike riding with friends, had lunch with another friend. We were created for community, and while I value the on-line community I find on certain blogs and Facebook, we all need actual face to face connection with other people.

How do you connect with others? How do you find friends?

Next week, I’ll meet with a writer’s group I recently joined. I actually sort of begged to get in, knowing I need other writers to talk to–people who assure me I’m not so strange. We chat via email a lot, sharing updates about our writing and careers, sharing links to stuff we’ve published online, and so on. While that’s fun, it’s not as deep as what gets shared when we gather in someone’s living room after the kids are in bed and talk about the challenges and joys of our writing journey.

We were all made for community. If we are seeking to follow Christ, we need others who can encourage us on that journey. We were never made to go it alone, especially spiritually.  What I want to know is–where do you find community and connection? If that’s missing from your life, what’s one step you could take to seek it out?