Introduction to Worship for 8/6/2017

Thunderstruck:

This week we continue our journey with the Gifts of the Dark Wood. The gift we are exploring this week is the gift of being Thunderstruck. This is the gift that stops us in our tracks and forces us to re-examine the path that we are on, or the choices that we make, or the views that we hold most dear. Our language and our stories are full of this metaphor, which was used in ancient times to talk about how God speaks. In Psalm 29, the Psalmist describes God’s voice “thundering over the waters”, and “breaking the cedars of Lebanon” with its power. Dr Elnes says that this metaphor is not to describe where thunder and lightning come from, but to give us insight into where we can hear the voice of God: in flashes of insight, in moments of new vision, in experiences that change us in unrepeatable ways.

Scripture Lesson: 1 Samuel 3: 1–20

The story for today is of the calling of Samuel, and what is perhaps the most noticeable in the context of our theme is that Samuel hears the voice of God, but he does not receive instant conviction: in fact, he first misunderstands where it is coming from, then he assumes that the message must be about someone else. He has to test what he has experienced, to make sure his new understanding is a true one, before he is ready to follow God’s call. Sometimes we experience “instant conviction” and are sure that we have been granted insight by God; more often our new insights lead us into further exploration and testing. The gift of being thunderstruck is the beginning, not the final conclusion.

Dr. Elnes also writes of the sense of connection and peace that, if we are paying attention, will confirm that we are on the path to which we are called. Yet he cautions, “you don’t suddenly step out of the Dark Wood on day exclaiming, “Now I can finally live my life.” Instead, you discover that the struggles and uncertainties associated with life in the Dark Wood remain. Only now they become deeply connected to a path that brings you alive. They begin to work for you, not against you. They also begin blessing others — even the world itself” (p.80).

Connecting Faith and Life

• Do you ever experience flashes of insight? What are the most common forms in which they occur: dreams, day dreams, poetry, reactions to movies, television, other media, music?
• Have you ever credited any of your “aha” moments with being the voice of God? What would be the difference in people’s reactions if you said, “God just spoke to me,” as opposed to saying, “I just had this amazing insight?”