At 7:30AM on a Sunday morning before going to church, I was headed out the door to go to a convenience store to get a cup of coffee. My son Micah came up to me at the door; with his arms raised high he looked up at me and said "With you Papa! With you!" He was almost two years old. In my hurriedness I didn't want to take the time to take him with me. I am so thankful my wife Maureen interjected and said "Duke I really think you should take him." There is great fruit in listening to your wife.
So, I strapped Micah in the front seat of my company truck. I looked over and he was beaming with a huge grin. (I am sure Micah is even now.) I could see in his eyes: "I'm just so happy to be with Papa." I drove down to the store. And keep in mind that this was a privately owned Ma and Pa convenience store crammed with goodies, movies, toys etc. We walked in and the whole time Micah was beaming, so happy to be with Papa. He didn't care about the goodies, or the stuff. He was just so happy to be with me. I got to the counter to pay for the coffee and I looked down and he was still beaming. I got in the truck, strapped him and he was still beaming with a huge grin.
Suddenly the Holy Spirit broke in: "Duke he is reflecting something I desire of you." In an instant, tears flowing (even now), I raised my hands and said, "With you Papa. With you! I don't care about the goodies, I don't care about the gifts, I don't care about the ministry. Just with you Papa!" I hear His heart: "With you son, with you. You are my greatest joy. You are my greatest delight."
Then and there I realized the greatest calling of my life, and I believe the greatest calling of the church, is to be with you Papa; to cultivate communion and to practice His presence.
Since Jesus my Lord and big brother paid for it all, "It is finished!", Papa is free to pursue me - unrestrained, uncontainable, boundless, blissful love. Since Jesus took care of all the issues, I am free to pursue Him, sit with Him, hang with Him, be with Him. Intimate communion. Here and now.
In this section of the blog we will talk about and share together different tools and ways we cultivate and practice the art of communion. One of the definitions for tool is anything that serves a means. I have discovered over the years in my relationships, there are multiple ways (things) people do or practice as a means to communion with Papa.
Starting next week, together we will share some of these means or tools. What do you do? What activities or things do you do to practice the art of communion? What tools of intimacy are helpful in your life? I am excited to share some of mine and equally excited for you to share yours!
Love from D-love,
Bro Duke
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