We’re always trying to make space. We move furniture around in our home to reconfigure a room and make a little more space. At the end of a trip, we wonder how we ever fit everything in the suitcase in the first place, as we try to cram it all back in the bag. A few years ago, Lord of Life built an addition to make more space for worship, learning, hospitality, togetherness, and storage. We needed more space.
It happens in virtual ways, too. We try to carve out space in our calendars for time with friends and family. We buy an external hard drive or memory in the cloud so that we can free up space in our computer. We try to make more space in our hearts for patience, compassion, and kindness.
One of my favorite guitarists, Bill Frisell, is a master at creating sonic space. Jazz critic Jack Kenny, writing about his style, says, “Frisell's [sound] is grounded in openness. His playing blends jazz, Americana, folk, and experimental approaches into something spacious, warm, and unmistakably personal.” Inside his latest record, “In My Dreams,” Frisell even penned the following poem about space:
[ S p a c e C r e a t e ]
Create space.
Trust space.
Story space.
Listen space.
Forgiveness space.
Argue space.
Resolution space.
More space.
Less space.
Danger place.
Safe space.
Open space.
Play space.
Lonely place.
Peace space.
Lovely space.
The right space.
Space place.
Time space.
Outer space.
More space.
Big space.
Love space.
Church staff, council, and I have been working on our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) as we move forward in the call process for an Associate Pastor. This document has over seventy blank spaces to fill in information about our congregation. Space after space asks for details about our location, attendance, financial records, and references, as well as who we are, what we believe, where we’ve been, why we do what we do, what we hope for in a pastor, and where God is calling us in the future.
As we talk and write, there are many questions about space, too. While our physical spaces and the many ways we use our building and campus for ministry are important, the MSP also wants to know about our theological spaces, mental spaces, spiritual spaces, emotional and prayer-filled spaces. What drives us? How does the community view us? What are our strengths and growing edges? We wrote extensively about God’s presence here in our spaces and the ways we’re shaped by joy, collaboration, flexibility, invitation, wonder, welcome, inclusion, intentionality, integrity, and purpose. Space for all kinds of people and faith is a priority.
Jesus was always making space. Space at tables, in worship, in conversation, in community, through reconciliation, invitation, and healing. He wasn’t afraid to enter hostile spaces or holy places, and was eager to lead people to new spaces of justice and freedom.
God continues to dwell among us, inviting us into spaces of renewal and transformation. I’m hopeful that this Lenten season is freeing up space in your heart, soul, and mind as you are filled with the Good News of Jesus.
Always looking for more space to live, share, and celebrate,
Pastor Lowell
Listen to Bill Frisell play “When You Wish Upon a Star” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1UA9HQlkOc
Jack Kenny’s article: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/in-my-dreams-bill-frisell-blue-note-records