Message from Brian, who taught us how to climb with the Psalms a year ago, reminding us of the scary proposition of vulnerability and the power of it, in a safe environment, guided by the Psalms.
“I have taught this material more times than I can count, but I have never met a more receptive audience to the challenge of taking the journey (Psalm 1), knowing that the ropes would not fail (Psalm 3), even in the aftermath of the most treacherous falls (Psalm 51). And you did so in the conviction that vulnerability evokes acceptance, not shame (Psalm 63), and that the greatest power of the poem is giving us a voice to transform the tragic into the sacred (2 Sam 1).
In the aftermath of our time on the mountain, I have a couple of thoughts to encourage you back home in the valley. Becoming vulnerable below the waterline is a scary proposition, for as you saw, poetry surfaces that which is unknown or deliberately hidden because of pain. But as you experienced, having the courage to be vulnerable and exposing our brokenness in a safe environment, not only brings validation to the individual, it is the secret to creating authentic communities.
My encouragement to you as leaders is not to let your experience evaporate into the thin air of ministry minutia and evangelistic charts and goals. We didn’t come with the purpose of giving you a mountain top experience, but to invite you into a new way of spiritual transformation that is time-tested, methodical and true. If you feel the Lord’s invitation to continue yours journey, I would suggest going back through Climbing with the Psalms and slowly reading the introduction (pgs 1-55), then revisiting the exercises (pgs 61-94). If you need more motivation, read Karen’s A Travelogue of the Interior.
In our fast paced, technological world the art of listening is a rare commodity. I guarantee you, if you take this journey and find your voice and God’s heart, you’ll have countless opportunities to give others a voice. [Romania] needs you.”
