A life of responsive obedience

"Put your minds to a life of responsive obedience to the voice of your God."

What most interests me about the last verse in this chapter is that minds is plural. In America, we tend to think if each of us individually can put our minds to living the way God wants us personally to live then it will all work out. The truth is that God doesn't want us to live individually, but in community. Love God, love your neighbor...one command.

I have my first garden wedding today. Mike & Nicole are using a unity candle to symbolize their coming together as one flesh. While they are not blowing the individual candles out, they are doing something bigger together.

Each of us has a light, but unified it becomes a torch. We are a light house up on the rock, but if it's just me or Jordan, it's like swinging a flash light.

The last page of blogs have been from the perspective of two young guys with little kids. I'd like to hear from others who are very different from Jordan and me. It creates a fuller picture.

In November, our Council is going on retreat. I hope we talk about how we all have different spiritual styles. Knowing this about each other allows us to learn from one another, appreciating our differences, finding value in them.

Jordan and I are across the circle from each other in regard to spiritual styles. Sue and I are closer. Heidi and I are opposite. Again, I hope all 9 styles are represented by our leaders. I'd be surprised if there is another person with my style, as I am across the circle from where most Lutherans and Catholics are.

Together we are better. God is speaking, sometimes in a whisper. Are we still...and close enough to each other to hear it as one body?