Remember

As a part of my sabbatical last summer, I spent four days on silent retreat at a Trappist Monastery up in South Carolina. The silence was difficult. In fact, at the end of the first day, walking back to my room that night, I thought to myself, “I’m going home tomorrow!” I stayed, and it was hard. But it was also a powerful, renewing experience. The silence created space for reflection and prayer. 

And there was more… 

Each evening, I would gather with the monks for Compline – the last prayer service of the day. At the end of worship, the sanctuary was darkened and there was only candlelight. We then filed out – one by one – single file in silence. The Abbot stood behind the baptismal font, and before we left, individually we would pause and bow our heads. He had what looked like an orb, dipped it in the fount, and splashed water across our heads…

No words. But I thought to myself: Remember your baptism.

From there, every night, I walked out into the meadow alone and walked the labyrinth. I thought about the wild meadow, and the wild God we worship. And I remembered my identity, that I was called to be a part of something much bigger than myself…that I am connected to many who have gone before me and many who will go after me, and to all on the journey with me. I remembered that in the time I have here on earth, I have a contribution to make, and I felt a renewed sense of calling and purpose. 

Today, I pray that you too would remember your primary identity as a child of God. May you remember that you too have a calling on your life. And may you come to see that in the time that you have left here on earth, you too have a contribution to make. 

Let us pray: God, thank you for your claim on our lives and for your unconditional love and grace. Grant us minds that are ever open to your calling and hearts ever willing to respond. Amen.