In an age of increasing diversity and stronger calls for tolerance, we are further and further from knowing the stories of the people with whom our paths cross only once in a lifetime or daily. Instead, we converse more and more only with those with whom we share particular interests, becoming pot bound as our roots circle in on themselves. Even online, we search the vastness for someone who, from what we can tell from his or her Facebook profile or site membership or blog, has something in common with ourselves. It is natural to seek out kindred spirits, but it seems that such seeking should be balanced with a vulnerability to chance encounters, to mystery, and yes, even to embarrassment and disappointment. -- Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma, "Don’t talk to me about...anything" in catapult magazine
As I mine through over 125 messages (which I didn't get to while I was at Faculty Conference 07), the above quote caught my attention and reminded me that Christ Jesus, by the Spirit of God, leads us into relationship beyond ourself to the Other (i.e., the Father) AND through the Other to true relationship with others (i.e., the intentional community of the People of God and those with whom we labor in sowing the seeds of faith).
The opportunity to spend a week at Faculty Conference 07 with 80+ brothers-and-sisters in Christ from a wide geographic, disciplinary, and age range is a Kingdom event and a great blessing. When reflecting upon our time on Sunday with partners-in-ministry from Pittsburgh (special thank-you to Allegheny Center CMA for hosting), it comes to my attention that many of the friendships around the room (alum from CMU, alum from Pitt, friends from Allegheny Center CMA) began from scratch . . . slowly, awkwardly, mysteriously, but over time have taken root and by God's grace are but a small step into an eternity in which to flower (and flourish).
Join me today in loving God and loving our neighbor (even within our family, those with whom we are most familar; even those who we term the other and by instinct distrust) w/abandon, to the glory of God and without concern for self, reputation, future.