{"id":59,"date":"2021-02-27T12:29:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-27T12:29:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-01-21T10:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T10:43:11","slug":"be-loved-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/27\/be-loved-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Loved 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

 In humility consider one-another better than yourself<\/span><\/p>\n

Philippians 2:3<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jon brought a pew home in the van today. Some church going through a renovation was donating furniture for upcycling projects. The dark wood and hymnal holder are now awaiting new life in the back garden. I’m wondering where all three meters of history will end up. Running my fingers along the scratched surface I vividly remember sitting on one of these in a little Baptist church as a child, holding my Tiny Tears doll. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Fond memories?<\/span> A familiar voice asks. And there he is: the beloved. In my garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Body memories<\/span>. I reply. <\/span>Hard wood you sit on, slide off, re-adjust and never quite get comfortable. Oh and inherited memories too. There’s a funny story from those days of an evening service that went a little off-track.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

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I gingerly perch on the edge of the pew, unsure whether it will take my weight. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Tell<\/span>. He says settling himself on a low wall. With the spring sun on his back I can see golden particles dancing around his head, matching the warmth of his smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Apparently it involved the singing of a chorus based on the book of Ruth that went something like this: <\/span><\/p>\n

“Cover me, with the corner of your blanket, cover me” <\/span><\/p>\n

As the song ended the visiting preacher-from-the-mission-field took the pulpit. He began by explaining what that part of the Ruth and Boaz story meant, and the level of intimacy they were perhaps unwittingly inviting the Lord to engage in with them. I always wondered if the little congregation of eldery folk were embarrassed or intrigued\u2026. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

John barks out a belly laugh that I don’t expect to come from him. It catches me into it’s cadence. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Could have been the start of some sweet union right there in a little church. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He’s looking intently at me at this point. I feel a little on edge wondering what’s coming. <\/span>I know you know the sweetness of union with them,<\/span> he says softly.<\/span> I know you lean into the 3, and I’ve been watching the journey. But it’s supposed to be way bigger than a party of four. And you are too comfortable drinking alone. I’m here to expand your heart and your imagination as well as engage with your question.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

If your imagination isn’t spent on designing wineskins, where should you spend it? How about spending it on the nature of the wine? The 3 sent me because I know the love we drink, and because I see the enormity and beauty of you-are-in-me-I-am-in-you-they-are-in-us.* It’s a deep-dive mystery, and completely practical at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I’m trying to listen. My mind wants to over-engage with the question of whether or not I want an expanded heart. Small feels good these days. John’s passion and warmth pull me away from introspection. I notice how still he is. <\/span><\/p>\n

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In Greek we have a beautiful word :allelon. You translate it one-another, which highlights distinction. It makes it sound like it flows directionally one to another. Like patronage. But allelon emphasises mutuality, a never-ending flow of love backwards and forwards. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I remember the first time I saw the desk toys with the sequence of silver balls. The end one was pulled back, and it swung into the next, that hit the next, until the end of the line then back again. As a child it seemed magical. John interrupts my remembering: <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I love the way Paul prayed and asked God to make his friends abound in love. Make. Where’s the “free will” idea you so love in that?!   Make them be the instigator in the flow of love. The first ball in the sequence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I always find it interesting in these encounters that they interact with my words and thoughts as if both are out loud. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Where can you spend your imagination? You can spend it dreaming about what allelon love looks like day to day. In the sickness and health, richer and poorer life you live. If you want your gatherings to express the nature of the wine you drink, choose allelon love as your value system. If you drink enough of the wine of the kingdom it won’t be a choice anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Again as I watch John I’m intrigued by the way his body exudes peace while passion spills from his voice and eyes. It catches me into rest even as I’m wrestling with his words.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

At this point, as you can begin meeting together in person, many churches are like sprinters waiting for the starting pistol. So, I’ll begin with this word: <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wait. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Allelon love isn’t afraid to go at the pace of the slowest because it prioritises the value that all are included. It embraces a world that has been rescued, not one that needs to be. There’s no rush. Allelon love rests on the finished work of Christ, and works towards seeing all of creation restored. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It’s God choosing to hang out at the back of the tribe with the women, children and infirm as they cross over. (Isaiah 40:11). Imagine that! A god with nothing to prove, and no one to impress. And we have their likeness. Happy mooching with those currently carrying extra (little ones, sorrow, sickness or creaky bones) we share the load wherever we can. Service is the garment we wear, and kindness in thought and action is our kiss. Engaging our imagination with the beauty of union has so elevated “the other” in our hearts that compassion comes easy: they are me. We overflow with patience, evidencing how how deeply our roots are sourcing the water of the Spirit. This too is a characteristic of allelon love. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This is as-you-go-make-disciples. (Matthew 28) There has been a rescue. Now, as you go, gather yourselves and others into that warm embrace. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

There’s no rush.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

It’s hard for you to believe. I know what makes you frantic. Fear has laced the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew, and bound you with a weight that distorts your posture. You read Matthew 24:14 “The gospel will be heard in all nations, and then the end wil come”. The end he was speaking of was the end of an era of separation. An era of waiting. But you live in the era of creating! <\/span><\/p>\n

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My friend Paul often wrote about this in his letters. Listen again to his words to the church in Colossae:<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c\u2026not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven\u2026\u201d [Col. 1:23]<\/span><\/p>\n

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It is done. The whole earth is included in union. Now, “as you go”, live from that reality. And as you go, gather others in. This is restoration work. The fun bit! Join in. <\/span><\/p>\n

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What you believe about the wine dictates the way you craft the skin. Marinating in the allelon teachings will help you. Today I’m urging you to consider these words: Wait. Go slow. Be compassionate. Take on the burdens of others. Be patient. Keep in mind mutuality. Allelon-love moves at the capacity of everyone. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Something in my expression must be indicating that I’m at capacity. He laughs and stands up slowly saying:<\/span><\/p>\n

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That’s what happens when you sit on a pew – a man comes and preaches you a full sermon. Risky furniture to have around! <\/span><\/p>\n

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Dream some dreams this week, friend. Dreams that involve others. I’ll see you soon. <\/span><\/p>\n

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He leaves, and as I wander into my kitchen I find myself humming the 80’s classic by the HouseMartins:<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Every women every man join the caravan of love<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You better get ready (go for it) <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

*John 14:20<\/span><\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 11:33<\/span><\/p>\n

Galatians 6:2<\/span><\/p>\n

Ephesians 4:2<\/span><\/p>\n

Ephesians 4:32<\/span><\/p>\n

Galatians 5:13<\/span><\/p>\n

Philippians 2:3 <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 In humility consider one-another better than yourself Philippians 2:3 Jon brought a pew home in the van today. Some church going through a renovation was donating furniture for upcycling projects. The dark wood and hymnal holder are now awaiting new life in the back garden. I’m wondering where all three meters of history will end […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions\/98"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/agoodknowing.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}