Shekinah (Hebrew)
A visible manifestation of the divine presence as described in Jewish theology.
(From Thefreedictionary.com)
This word has popped up a lot in my reading this week, in two very different places. First it is in Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton, one of the books I am reading for my Season of Planning. It rang a bell because one of our Lutheran churches in Chicago is called Shekinah Chapel. It is one of the those words that every time I had heard it I knew it meant something but I just didn't know what.
Then a few days later I was cleaning and I came across some prayers written by leaders from another church. I had saved the prayers so I could pray for these leaders and their ministry during Lent. As I looked through the prayers one more time, the word Shekinah jumped out at me.
Ok, God, I am paying attention. Your presence is surrounding me. Got it.
Question: Now what will I do with that?
My answer: I don't know.
My reaction: I prayed a prayer of gratitude for all the people who have shown me God’s presence in my life. It usually comes at those times when I either don’t expect it or I can’t see it on my own. My family, friends and colleagues become the visible manifestation of God's presence! And because of my work, God’s presence is also shown to me through the children at our church. As the picture shows, our children feel strongly that they are close to Jesus just as their little figures are standing with the Good Shepherd. They remind me, in their purest form of faith, I can trust God’s promise that I am not alone or forgotten.
I wonder how else God’s presence will be made known to me. (I know. Be careful what you ask!!)
~ Pam
A visible manifestation of the divine presence as described in Jewish theology.
(From Thefreedictionary.com)
This word has popped up a lot in my reading this week, in two very different places. First it is in Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton, one of the books I am reading for my Season of Planning. It rang a bell because one of our Lutheran churches in Chicago is called Shekinah Chapel. It is one of the those words that every time I had heard it I knew it meant something but I just didn't know what.
Then a few days later I was cleaning and I came across some prayers written by leaders from another church. I had saved the prayers so I could pray for these leaders and their ministry during Lent. As I looked through the prayers one more time, the word Shekinah jumped out at me.
Ok, God, I am paying attention. Your presence is surrounding me. Got it.
Question: Now what will I do with that?
My answer: I don't know.
My reaction: I prayed a prayer of gratitude for all the people who have shown me God’s presence in my life. It usually comes at those times when I either don’t expect it or I can’t see it on my own. My family, friends and colleagues become the visible manifestation of God's presence! And because of my work, God’s presence is also shown to me through the children at our church. As the picture shows, our children feel strongly that they are close to Jesus just as their little figures are standing with the Good Shepherd. They remind me, in their purest form of faith, I can trust God’s promise that I am not alone or forgotten.
I wonder how else God’s presence will be made known to me. (I know. Be careful what you ask!!)
~ Pam
