The Gift of Unexpected Clarity

I could make a mile-long list of reasons that I love practicing ministry as a healthcare chaplain in an environment where most of the older adults I minister to are living with dementia. Near the top of that list is the stories of how I’ve witnessed Spirit moving in unexpected ways.

For instance, last week during Bible Study we were considering the story of Joseph from the Hebrew Scriptures. So far in the Bible Study, Joseph had been sold into slavery, ascended to the top spot in Potiphar’s house only to be lied about and thrown into jail, had interpreted dreams then been forgotten about, finally released from jail and handed the country of Egypt to save from an impending famine.

When our group got to the place where Joseph was reunited with his brothers, I asked them to share what they thought Joseph would have felt. No one was in a hurry to answer first. I went ahead and told them that I thought Joseph would be angry.

One person responded “I would give anything to see my family again, but they are all dead now. I’ve got no one left.”

Out of curiosity I asked “Even though his brothers sold him into slavery, do you think Joseph would have been happy to see them?”

She thought about it for a minute. “He was the only one of his family in Egypt. When his brothers came, he wasn’t alone anymore.”

I asked her “What do you think that felt like?”

Without missing a beat, she replied “I think it felt like being known.”

In that moment of unexpected clarity, I could sense how important it is to feel known. For this precious one who came to Bible study that day, how long had it been since she had felt known in a room full of people? How long had it been since I had felt known?

I asked the entire group “What is it like to feel known? How does feeling known by someone feel inside of your body?”

I got more answers to that question than any other that I had previously asked in Bible Study.

“It feels good.”

“It feels warm.”

“Safe.”

We moved our way back to the story so that we could finish on time for lunch.

This isn’t a story about attempting to define what it feels like to be known. This is a story of Spirit moving in ways that bring unexpected clarity. I had wanted to share my own insights into family systems theory using Joseph’s story. What happened instead was an even more meaningful conversation than I had planned.

In that moment I realized that Sprit moves in unexpected ways. What I learned is by allowing Spirit to move me, guide me, inspire me, to change my pre-planned course, I was gifted with unexpected clarity.

I hope that when we learn to respond with curiosity to Spirit’s unexpected prompting, we can, together, anticipate her gift of unexpected clarity.

For Reflection (either individually or with a group)

 Read the blog. Read it a second time, maybe reading it aloud or asking someone else to read it aloud so you can hear it with different intonation and emphases. Then spend some time with the following questions with words, crayons, clay, paints, or anything that helps you reflect more deeply.

• When have you experienced Spirit’s unexpected prompting and how did you respond?
• If you have never had that experience, what do you think prevents you from being open to the Spirit’s movement?
• How could a family member, good friend, or fellow small group member help you to be more open?

Download a pdf including the Reflection Questions to share and discuss with friends, family, or members of your faith community small group.