Beyond
Words
“Always
what cannot be said is greater than what can be said. And the same is
true for each of us and for all things. What cannot be uttered about
another is always greater than what can be uttered.”
J.
Philip Newell (Christ of the Celts)
Every
single one of us will have the experience of Spirit bursting into our
ordinary reality. It may happen in a private moment when we are
alone, or even when we are asleep. It may happen when we are in a
group or in nature. Sometimes, we feel a little crazy, wondering “did
that just happen, or was it my imagination?” We may not tell anyone
about it, fearing they may think us delusional. Often, we simply
don't have words to describe it. We are woefully lacking
in words for the transcendent.
Such
experiences reassure us—they seem to say, “you are not alone; I
am here with you.” Sometimes they are numinous—they glow from
within. Always, the presence of Spirit feels supportive, a gift of
grace. Afterward, decisions fall into
place—something we were struggling with now seems obvious. The path
ahead is suddenly clear. Or, when we are about to make a mistake, we
feel forewarned. Something tells us, “don't do this.” In my
experience, Spirit often shines a light on something or someone I have misjudged—I have pigeonholed, or labeled. It may, in a flash of
insight, show me the reasons why they are the way they are, or reveal
complexities that I had not taken into account. People are always greater than the sum of their parts.
Moments
of grace cannot be summoned, and, thank God, we don't have to be
saints to experience them. Spirit is simply here always; watching and
waiting. We can trust that, because Spirit is also within us. We
cannot escape it, nor can we outrun it, or outsmart it. Grace just
happens—I hope it happens to you today.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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