Synchronicity

I appear downtown as I escalade up the stairs from the subway and  I am all of the sudden submerged in people and cars of all kinds rushing by, going where they need to go, and I'm early for school. My headphones are ringing an ephemeral sound only made by Radiohead and I look up at the buildings, and to my delight I see the American flag moving in slow motion to the song drumming in my ears. The wind had just enough strength to move the flags, but in a flow that was mesmerizing. I couldn't stop looking... 

And I thought... what is so special about this moment? And it was pure synchronization that I couldn't wrap my fingers around. The people were moving fast, but the flag was waving just my speed. The music was matching the salute of America, and it was beautiful. 

It was a moment of grace, a moment where nothing mattered, where the world around me was working together to a tune only known by me, and perhaps the Creator. 

Is that what it was like in Eden? Perfection, in sync with the ultimate Creator? Where wind, trees, light, sound and even humans were all working for the good of those around them? 

Is that what the new Kingdom will bring? 

The definition of synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are casually unrelated  occurring together in a meaningful manner. That moment when I looked up to see the flags waving in a slow motion to the beat of my music was pure synchronicity... 

Grace and Peace 

80 degrees. Shade. Cool breeze. Iced soy latte. Band of Horses. Lemon scone. Chicago.



I stop for one minute, close my eyes, and feel immensely blessed by my current status. My only reaction is praise. The breeze that gently rushes over my bare legs, the sunlight that just misses my eyes, the soft music in my ears as buses and bikers sweep by. Is this a reality? Thank you God for a small moment of stillness, for speaking gently into my heart and allowing me to know you are here.

I don't have moments like this very often. But lately I have been filled with peace. My heart has all of the sudden slowed down, which seems ironic because on the outside my life is busier than it has been in a while. I had a month off of school and work, and during that time I was restless. I wasn't taking time for myself, and I wasn't spending time with God. My quiet times were lost due to my own disregard of their importance. I got caught up in myself, thought that I could do it on my own... that I didn't need to have a quiet time in the morning. But looking back, I was restless. Now that I am back in a routine, waking up with a purpose, and spending time on myself and with God, I feel overcome with peace. I am not worried about getting everything I need to done, I'm not concerned with anyone else (be that a good or bad thing, right?)

So why is it so important to spend time on ourselves? Our society promotes individualism and doing things on your own, but does it encourage us to take time just to be us? To journal? To ask ourselves hard questions and challenge ourselves? I'm not sure that it does. It promotes a "I do what I want" kind of mentality, but not one that seeks out our own goodness. Maybe it does and I just ignore myself because of fear of what might come out. Might I discover something about myself that I do not like? Probably. But if I discover it now, I can work on it... which might suck and be hard, but I think it is worth it.

So I've been living alone this past week. It's crazy how much I don't like to be alone, but I'm learning to be okay with it. It has been really good for me to only be with me. Though I do get sick of myself at moments...

That's all for now.

...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.... Philippians 4:6-7.


grace and peace,
rachel