….a “vortex of amazing energy”, as she put it, was part of a woman’s recent description to me of Sedona, Arizona. She had just returned from a vacation to Sedona, and had the entire table of listeners mesmerized by her tales of the red rock, the fiery skies, the tarot card and palm readers and meditation everywhere, and the way everyone in that city was so vibrant and alive and full….so “mystical”…”well…it was just, like, this vortex of amazing energy”.
And I couldn’t help staring off across the living room, imagining this city known for its specialized New Age tourist industry, where the “Harmonic Convergence” was organized in 1987, where the spirit of mysticism and divination draws tourists from all over the world, and wondering what on earth would happen if all the Believers in a city were so controlled…so surrendered to…even possessed (yes, in the real sense of the word )… by the Holy Spirit of the Living God…. if it would be such a radically real Presence in and around them that a visitor to the city would describe the strange feeling to their friends back home.
Or on a smaller scale, what would happen if a family, or a group of friends, or a team of coworkers were all so committed to practicing the Presence of God, that their strong, banded-together “energy”, which Paul described as a “sweet aroma of the knowledge of God in every place” (2 corinthians 2:14) would be felt and recognized by the world around??
I think her word choice ( “vortex (n): a whirling mass, usually of water, smoke, fire, etc.”) was excellent. Isn’t it interesting how spiritual things like giving in secret and love and peacemaking and compassion and forgiveness so often set in motion a whirling cycle?
I long for my family, present and future, and for my church and for my friend group to be a vortex of the felt-Presence of God.
But here’s the problem: A vortex is a whirling mass going in the same direction, like a tornado. It’s not divided and confused and whirling out of control. It’s not working against itself. You and me and all God’s kids are sometimes very divided and confused and working against the force of glorious Calvary Love that spreads through our unity. We can get all mixed up in drama and gossip and judgment and unforgiveness and criticism and thoughts and conversations that preserve self rather than crucify it.
The world is too hell-bound and hell is too horrible for us to foolishly weaken our own army. We need to be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3) and “as far as it depends on us, live at peace with each other” (Romans 12:18) and “reap the fruit of righteousness by sowing the seed of peace” (James 3:18). Tonight when you lie in bed, are you at peace with everyone in your life? I don’t mean to ask if every relationship is conflict-free, but I mean to ask if you have done everything to make and maintain peace (Matthew 5:9)? I ask this question of myself many nights and it’s not easy, but it’s what God wants.
It’s pretty straight-forward. Are you aware of any offense a brother or sister in Christ might have against you, whether they’re right or wrong? If they’re offended and you know it, God cares SO much about peace that He says “even if you’re presenting an offering at the altar, if you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there at the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering” (Matthew 5:23-24). God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
Are you offended by a brother or sister in Christ? You have two tasks, and the Holy Spirit will always help us carry them out and give us wisdom when we ask Him for it! ”If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother” (Matthew 18:15) and ALWAYS forgive, because “If you forgive others their sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 5: 14)
My heart cries to yours, beloved friends, to stand as peacemakers in your own homes and families and friend groups and church groups, so the desperate world around us might experience Calvary Love. It will only be felt on the outside when a vortex starts spinning from within.
So true!
Molly, this is tough but so necessary, especially in this season. Thank you for the reminder.