Inspired by reflections on:
- Genesis 18:1–15; 21:1–7 — Receiving the Promise
- Exodus 19:2–8a; Matthew 9:35–10:8 — Becoming the Promise
There are moments in life when we sense that something new is trying to emerge.
Sometimes it arrives as an invitation.
Sometimes as discomfort.
Sometimes as a longing we cannot quite explain.
Sometimes as a call we do not yet feel prepared to answer.
Over the past two weeks I found myself reflecting on two biblical communities standing at different thresholds.
Abraham and Sarah received a promise they had difficulty imagining.
The disciples received a commission they did not yet feel fully prepared to embody.
At first glance these seem like different stories.
One receives.
One acts.
But perhaps both reveal the same sacred movement.
Before life emerges—
something must become available.
Abraham opens.
Sarah remains.
Spirit promises.
The disciples step.
Release insufficiency.
Receive what is needed.
Participate.
Perhaps spiritual growth is not always adding something new.
Sometimes it is becoming available to what has been waiting.
One of the surprising discoveries for me was realizing that prayer in the Gospel was not presented primarily as preparation for action.
Prayer became the practice that helped move the disciples beyond themselves.
Beyond the need to feel ready.
Beyond the pressure to carry everything.
Beyond feeling overwhelmed.
Prayer redirected attention from:
“Am I enough?”
toward:
“What is needed?”
And in that movement something became available.
Grace.
Humility.
Authority rooted in alignment.
Spiritual resources.
This led me to wonder:
What if spiritual life is less about becoming all powerful—
and more about becoming connected to the deeper source of life?
Perhaps this is why Jesus sends the disciples only after teaching them to receive.
And perhaps this is also why communities become themselves through practice.
A thing becomes what it does.
We become community to the degree that we practice community.
We become compassionate to the degree that we practice compassion.
We become available to life to the degree that we participate in bringing life near.
This movement may also help us think differently about Kingdom work.
Heal—
restore what has been wounded.
Raise—
call forth life where possibility has died.
Cleanse—
remove what distorts relationship.
Cast out—
confront what dehumanizes and fragments.
These are not only extraordinary acts.
They may also describe ordinary practices of spiritual guidance, community formation, and human becoming.
Reflection Questions
- What in my life may be trying to come alive?
- Where am I being invited to take a first faithful step?
- What burden of insufficiency or overwhelm might I release?
- What spiritual resources have already been placed in my hands?
- How might I participate in bringing life near this week?
Closing Reflection
Perhaps the question is not:
Do I have enough?
Perhaps the question is:
What have I already received that I am now being invited to offer?
Reflection by Hubert Ivery, MDiv, STM, Ph.D., retired United Methodist elder, spiritual coach, Member of the Board of the Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders; email: [email protected].
This reflection represents the view of the author.