Spiritual Formation

Detroit River

It's not reserved for a special few –

those who've mastered the matrix.

It doesn't wait for us to reach

a certain age or intellect or maturity level.

It's what starts happening

the moment we take our first breath,

maybe even sooner (Psalm 139:18).

The universe's purposes and

our raison d'être both begin

to seep their simple truths

into our minds and hearts.

First, it may be nothing more

than a wistful longing,

but then it builds in intensity

and sharpens in focus

until all the lesser realities

upon which we've fabricated life

begin to crumble and fade away

like sepia photos of generations long-past.

It's up to each of us to decide

how we'll respond to this longing.

We can bristle against the mystery

and dig our heels into control's mud;

or we can let paradox move us

toward the "I am" of "both and".

Or is it the "both and" of "I am"?

Regardless of our response,

as time marches on,

we’re being formed.

The only question is,

“Into what?”

© 2014 Todd Jenkins