Often Silent, Ever Speaking

For more than five years I have enjoyed serving as office administrator at King's Fold.  At the end of August I will be moving on to create more space and time in my life to offer spiritual direction.  There are so many gifts that I have from my time here - gifts of eternal value.  I take those with me as I leave, grateful for the One who never does.

Today when I walked home from the lodge I was drawn to peek over the ridge at the river.  I wondered what I might see…  Would a bear be crossing?  Would I see a deer drinking?  Had the river risen with the recent rains and snowmelt?  The Ghost River calls to me here at King's Fold.  I never know what I'm going to see, but I always know the river is going to be there when I look over the ridge, speaking to me in some way.

I have seen the river narrow to a small stream.  I have seen it generate a 100-year flood.  I have witnessed huge spruce trees rolling past in high water.  I have played in the river's calm, refreshing coolness.  One year I found deep inviting pools but then noticed in the following years they had disappeared.  I've stood on the bridge in the dark, amazed at the quiet beauty of the moonlight glistening off the river's surface.  And from the cottage I have heard the river's roar, high above its banks.

Although the river changes, it never goes away.  It has been here since King's Fold was born.  It's one of the things you can count on when you visit.  It's a constant.  The river is always here.  Always winding its way over the rocks.  Always moving.  Always flowing.  Always inviting.  Always speaking.

The river is like God.  I used to think listening to God was all about getting quiet enough, desperately hoping he would speak in the same moment I was finally quiet enough to hear.  Of course, it is important for us to be quiet and listen - that's a large part of what happens at King's Fold.  But does God only speak when we get "quiet enough?"  Does the river only flow when I run to the ridge and look over?

God is there all the time, speaking all the time - through his quiet, inviting, pursuing presence. Some like to use the phrase "God showed up" when they witness healing, conviction, forgiveness,  reconciliation or any other beautiful movement of the Spirit. When I look over the ridge at the river, it  doesn't suddenly "show up" just because I happen to look.  It's always there.

So it is with God.  He's there… ever moving… ever inviting… often silent… ever speaking.

Go ahead… go peek over the edge.

by Michelle Newsham