On “a sunny day in August, my courageous proclamation of fearlessness crossed my mind as I was on pilgrimage driving across the mountains of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and onto the east coast. [Before I go any further, I must confess my fear of heights.] In fact, that sunny day in August I was feeling so confident with my new-found freedom of not being afraid of heights that as I crossed one very long bridge, I wondered what was beneath me and I looked over! I never did figure out what I was driving over. What caught my line of sight in the distance caused my heart to jump into my throat. I saw this enormously huge concrete bridge suspended by one lone support beam at the height of the bridge. Immediately, I realized I had to drive back over that bridge on my way home. My fear of heights loomed larger than life and held me captive. Through prayer and God’s grace I reach my destination without incident.
But that bridge! That suspended white concrete bridge haunted me. Each night I awoke with panic attacks seeing the bridge. During my wakeful hours, the thought plagued me, what if I had a panic attack driving on the bridge and wrecked the car, killing someone. I sought directions to find another route home but to no avail. Alas, I knew I must drive across the bridge. The night before my return trip home, I attended a Taize prayer and healing worship celebration. The gentlemen who prayed with me prayed the bridge might be shielded from my sight. That was my first night’s rest.
As I drove home, viewing the mountain range, dread filled my being. I knew as I entered the mountain the bridge would quickly be before me. I began the incline up and in that instant Isaiah’s words sprang to life. [“Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.] The sensation of going up the mountain stopped. The scenery out the window changed. The mountains transformed into cornfields. The valleys were raised up, the mountains pulled down. For the hour drive across that mountain range I watched, anticipated, and prayed, expecting to experience that white concrete bridge at any moment. Lo and behold, the miles clicked down and the cornfields remained my companions through the entire journey. At the end of the hour on that stretch of highway, as I descended the mountain top, I felt the downward slope from the mountain. The beauty of the mountains shone in my rearview mirror, and I was humbled by the glory of God’s highway. Just as the pray-er stated the night before the bridge was shielded from my sight.[1] That prayer provided me with a new orientation to my fears.
The Scripture
This is the third time! The first two times that Peter encountered the risen Christ was in a locked Upper Room. Jesus even breathed on him and the disciples gifting them with the Holy Spirit on the first visit. (John 20:19-23) The second time, even after receiving the presence of the Holy Spirit, Peter and the disciples were still locked in the Upper Room. That is when Thomas was present and turned to belief. (John 20:24-29)
But this third resurrection appear was different for Peter. (John 21: 15-19) After Jesus and the disciples had finished their beach breakfast, in which Jesus nourished the disciples, Jesus turned the conversation to Peter. Jesus helped him contemplate the transformation of his inward character. Peter used to like to be in charge and to make his own decisions. Jesus illustrated this as he said, “when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished.” Now Peter will be going out nourished by God and “But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” What a huge shift from personal desire for direction and service in ministry to stretch out hands and let someone else lead. This was an entirely new orientation of life, mindset, attitude, and character for Peter.
Today’s Prayer Practice
As we continue through the season of Easter you are invited to contemplate how you have been gifted with a new orientation for life because of Easter. The question lingers, are we willing to intentionally seek and join in the new Easter perspective of life which Jesus invites us to. This new life orientation encompasses how we engage and view self, others, and God.
Today we are practicing Mantras. Mantras are a repetitive prayer of just one single word. Your Mantra word may be any word you choose that still your mind and heart before God. It does not necessarily need to be a faith word like Jesus, God, or prayer. To begin, ask God to inspire a word just for you to contemplate. This may be peace, love, unity, light, or a plethora of other words. The word could be one that assists in pushing out or replacing old disparaging thoughts for you to gain a new orientation and perspective on life through Easter resurrection.
Once you have chosen your Mantra word, find a quiet place sitting, walking, jogging or even swimming to mentally repeat your words over and over. As you repeat your word, you may find yourself being drawn into deeper stillness. There may even be an invitation from God in your stillness to reframe life.
Enjoy praying.
[1] Buckwell, Brenda. 2015. The Advent of God’s. Woodstock, VT: Skylight Paths Publisher. Word. P 20.
