Drinking the Cup of Life

Long read but lots of content!

I was awakened early this morning with a continuing clarity, a further unpacking of a "Word" spoken to me yesterday as I met with a young mentee in our backyard cabin. I had to get out of bed in order to better capture it first thing!

If you have read or spoken with me for any length of time, you've likely heard me speak of my 20 years of Cabin Talks.

These are timely conversations around personal calling, the unpacking of one's P-I-E-C-E. Mine seems to be about processing with others.

This PIECE that "passes all understanding" was uniquely crafted in our Mother's womb, never fully assigned to another; personally and perfectly delivered by this inexhaustible One who dwells among the galaxies. Moses' I Am!

Each PIECE assigned is kingdom critical, guided by the Spirit, in part by way of the text of scripture, as well as life experience (both suffering and success) and yes, "Words" spoken!

The text is only one tool through which we hear from the I Am! Even Creation manifests the Christ, which by the way, that is not Jesus's last name!

The Christ in us was what God in Man (Jesus, the Word become flesh) was designed to demonstrate. Should we fully grasp that, "even greater things than these" are possible!

When the PIECE of God is fully unpacked during one's lifetime, that truly is "life more abundantly!"

The three legged stool that we discussed yesterday (see below, my early morning attempt at drafting my thoughts) might better be seen as a triangle.

You can tell I am really into easily remembered alliterations...3 "C's..."Calling, Cup, Capacity."

Calling is the trajectory of one's life, the direction necessary for impact.

Cup is the crafting of one's self, one's spirit (the little "s"). It is a felt tension between both suffering (blood) & and delight (wine). "Drink ye all of it!"

Capacity is both human capital (community) & and financial currency, the bread (think manna), the necessary means for delivery of the calling!

However the source of our bread is neither self nor others, though both "fellowship and "followship" with God at times can feel like work! We can even be distracted from our delivery, when we become confined to comfortable spaces, like church!

Church for me has been foundational, but never have I allowed fellowship and the comfort of like-minded to confine my calling!

One's PIECE is place specific...others oriented...thus as described above, easily distracted!

As I wrote this post, I thought of how often the vision of others, especially the institutionally empowered (the Big C) with whom one serves, can distract, even derail those called to the "Marketplace!".

That could have been the case had I been typical of my age as we approached the "why" behind yesterday's Cabin Talk with a young, unchurched, well-talented Christ-follower!

I was so moved yesterday as I heard his case and then this Word, which often occurs when scripture text surfaces as context for framing one's life calling.

And, when there is such carry-over and impact for my own life, as was the case with this one, I try to capture that "Word!" for posterity!

Data indicates that those who reach 78 years of age, often have only 8-9 years (males) & 10-11 (females). That's a tight timeline, though Dad passed in his 100th year! Thankful for my DNA!

I treasure these "Cabin Talks" though somewhat grieved at the loss of my favorite place, as LaDonna and I attempt to reframe our lives in these last senior years.

Hope this post, my rambling thoughts and my doodled image helped someone! Blessings.