Weekly Update// Pastor Will
Hi Asbury Family,
If you’ve ever been to one of our morning prayer gatherings, you know that we get together Monday through Friday on Facebook Live at 8:30 am. It is a time we read scripture together, usually a Psalm and then a New Testament reading, followed by a song, and a time of prayer. Most of the songs I’ve chosen are ones that have spoken to me in some shape or form in my life. Maybe it was a recent interaction, or maybe one from years ago, but either way, I could probably pinpoint a moment that I had a close encounter, if you will, with the song. It just so happened, I had one of those “close encounters” during morning prayer on Tuesday.
After the song finished and morning prayer was wrapped up, I could not help but continue to reflect on that moment and there were a few take aways, but one major one that kept ringing true. That moment was a “thin place.” Essentially, thin places are moments when Heaven and Earth are very close. The separation between the two are very “thin.” Some people experience thin places out in creation on mountain tops or at the beach. During my time as a chaplain at UNC hospital, I didn’t experience thin places anywhere fancy. Sometimes, I experienced thin places in hospital rooms, when speaking with families or patients. In those moments, I found that it was best, if not most helpful, to slow down and really soak the moment in. Here we were, in the presence of God, and it felt so tangible, that you could almost touch it. It’s giving me goosebumps just writing about it!
My encouragement for you to is to think about those moments where the separation between Heaven and Earth felt “thin.” What was it like? What was the feeling you had? Could you feel it physically? However you may have answered, know that God is always with us, but sometimes we get those moments where his presence is a little more palpable than others. It doesn’t always have to be sitting next to a beautiful stream or over-looking the Grand Canyon. It might be in your bedroom or your office as you do your quiet time. Cherish those moments. Soak them up. Know that God is always with us!
Blessings,
Will