Matthew 5:1-2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed….

Life has had some tough turns in the journey of the last 13 months.  They are violent.  They are hard. They are just not nice.  Life can be like that.

Life has had some great moments in the journey of the last 13 months. They are beautiful.  They are fulfilling.  They are comforting.  Life can be like that.

In the hardness and in the beauty, life is meant to be lived.  Life is not a spectator sport.  Engage.

This morning is a calm spot.  Not that there is not an hundred items and more waiting to be tended.  Water seeped up into the vents of the house the other day in a downpour.  It is gone, but repairs need completed and insurance company contacted.  A major weekend seminar went well and now I need to write many thank you notes and get ready for the next thrust into another community.  Business contracts are calling for attention for project plans and content curation.  But it is the morning and I refuse to address any of this right now.

With all of the multitude of people, Jesus took the time to “set” himself.  The transcription of Matthew tells us “when he was set his disciples came to him”.  Then and only then did he “open his mouth and begin to teach them.”

Imagine this moment.  Thousands of people are crying out for prayer, food, and healing.  Emotions are high as the more pushy folks demand front row seats.  The politicians are getting their entourage in position for high crowd visibility. Jesus is moving and hasn’t settled into a spot.  The dignitaries are miffed because they don’t know where to sit or who to push out of position.  Some are purposefully hanging to the rear not wanting to be seen but wanting to be close enough to hear.  They are hopeful and fearful.  On any Sunday morning in a large group this is repeated.  In those cases, everyone knows where the speaker will be and just moves to their moment and place of prominence or hiding.  Jesus is in motion.  He is unpredictable.

Sometimes in my prayer in the morning I feel like one or all of these people.  There are days I am positioning myself to be seen and heard by the Father.  Other days I am quiet and contemplative and want to lurk unseen in prayer.  Always I want to be close enough to hear some message of hope from my Dad that will give me a boost for this day.  I want to meet Jesus on the mountain in the morning.  I want to be blessed.  I want to be close when He opens His mouth to pour out blessing.

Prayer: Father of Jesus, You are also Father of me.  This morning, I really want to meet with You.  Life is tough and life is secure and life is frightening and life is momentary and life is stable.  It is a mishmash of emotions that bring me to Your mountainside.  Out here where life is lived, please meet me.  Meet me on my mountain.  It is a tough climb this morning.  Bring me to a settled spot to listen.  Meet me on the mountain this morning and speak blessing over my angst and anger and hopes and dreams and goodness and evils.  Meet me on the mountain in the morning.