Yesterday, I attended a conference entitled Beautiful Feet’ “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans: 10:15b
It was held at The Lutheran Theological Seminary from 9am to 3:45pm.
Since then, I have not really cared about the church experience. When I have attended, I found myself not focused, not paying attention and really just wanting to leave. I wasn’t getting much out of it. (Plus, it doesn’t help to have a crazy one year old tagging along and not have a nursery available.) So needless to say, I’ve stopped going. The last time I went to church was before Thanksgiving. SAD, I know!
I miss fellowship, I miss the saints but most importantly I miss the praying and the Word. Yes, I read and pray on my own but it’s nothing like being amongst people who care about you and are willing to not just pray but put their Christianity into action. It’s nothing like hearing a piercing Word from the preacher, or even be apart of a women's ministry and receive encouragement and hope through scripture. Things just haven’t been the same and that’s what prompted me to search for some kind of retreat or conference. I needed to hear from God!
I don’t even remember how I came across this conference. I don’t know anything about Lutherans or their beliefs! All I knew was this place was 10 minutes away from my house and I needed to go. Expecting to hear from God!
It was an AWESOME experience! Lutherans are rather formal in worship service. They sing many hymns and read many prayers but the words are beautiful.
First, there was a general session (Oh and by the way, yes I was the only young black female. That place was filled with older white women and a handful of older black women, but everyone was nice and welcoming to me!) During this session the speaker gave some history of feet in the bible. The most interesting part was in some instances “feet” are symbolic for a man’s orgasm. WHOA! Ruth 3:4 – uncovering his “feet” is symbolic for having sex or allowing a man to release themselves… TMI
Later there were the workshops. I attended “Praying at the Crossroads”, which dove into the Lord’s prayer and it’s usefulness during difficult times. During that class we went around the room and shared what our “crossroads” were and ways we deal with them. When I hit difficult times, after I cry, I pray and read something. What I discovered was I need to LISTEN! We also read Mark 9, during Jesus' Transfiguration. This symbolized a challenging time for God as he was preparing for His death. But during this moment all God the Father said to the others were to Listen! That small word is soo profound.
You see I’ve been searching and will read a gazillion “help” books and will go through certain books of the bible, but I wasn’t listening. Some days I would read just to say I read, but nothing was retained and I didn’t really wait to hear what God had to say. Yes, I would pray but it was for selfish reasons. I wasn’t really praying for God’s will. I need to be more like Christ. For example, while in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus knew He was about to suffer a horrible death and the human part of him didn’t want to but He still says “Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” Mark 14:36 – Even Jesus who suffered horribly prayed for God’s will. I need to get it together…
After that profound moment, I then went to Prayerful Yoga. It was right on time. After hearing from God, I was able to go, pray and sit in his quietness and be able to LISTEN to what He had to say! WOW!
I will forever be changed by the experience and I thank God I was able to attend and be introduced to Him all over again!
God I’m going to make more of an effort to LISTEN to what you are saying to me.
I hope you do the same!
1 comment:
What a beautiful post!
So glad you were able to get away to experience God. I am in that same church rut!
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