Open and Available
Last week I shared a blessing from the Northumbria Community on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northeast England. I learned that folks in that community take a vow of availability and vulnerability. They promise that they will make themselves available to God, and to each other. They also promise they will be open and honest – and thus vulnerable with God, and with each other.
This makes me think about Mary’s prayer, “Here I am Lord, your servant. Let it be with me according to your will” (Luke 1:38). This would be a beautiful daily prayer for each of us. Being open and available to God is important, but being open and available to others may be even harder. Perhaps we might hold lightly to the daily mantra, “How can I help?”
Today, my prayer is that you would give some thought as to how these vows might make sense in your own life. May God keep me ever open and available.
Our prayer today was written by John Philip Newell. Let us pray:
In the morning light, O God, may I glimpse again your image deep within me, the threads of eternal glory woven into the fabric of every man and woman. Again, may I catch sight of the mystery of the human soul fashioned in your likeness, deeper than knowing, more enduring than time. And in glimpsing these threads of light, amidst the weakness and distortions of my life, let me be recalled to the strength and beauty deep in my soul. Let me be recalled to the strength and the beauty of your image in every living soul. Amen.
Daily Message Author: Joe Albright
Joe began his ministry in Sarasota, Florida as an associate pastor, and it was in this capacity that he worked alongside the Reverend Dr. Roger Kunkel. Roger was a colleague who became a mentor and treasured friend. From Sarasota, Joe was called to Jacksonville, Florida where he served as the Head of Staff at Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Currently, Joe and his family worship and serve at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Switzerland, Florida. Full Bio
