The Divine Ambush

Often God appears to us in the ways we least expect and at the time when we least expect. Take incarnation as an example: God enters as a newborn not a king, in a barn not a home or hospital; to a displaced unwed couple. God comes not in the thunder but in the whisper of a gentle breeze. So, when the Apostles gathered for the “Feast of Weeks” – a celebration of the first fruits of gardens that was fifty days after the Passover – they were not expecting anything to happen other than a normal spring harvest celebration. But the Divine Ambush is never expected. Maybe that is because we need to be off guard in order to be receptive to Divine Love.

The Divine Ambush workshop looks at becoming unfocused, off balance and vulnerable. What we think we know of God, of how God works, and of what we are capable limits or even prevents our receptivity to the Divine Ambush. How do we prepare ourselves to be surprised? How do we stop looking for signs (things we would recognize) from God that we are on the right path, and surrender to just being on the path in front of us as it is? Why did several of Jesus’ stories focus on being ready (the bridegroom’s return, the three talents, the householder’s return, and wealthy landowner’s granary)?

In this two-hour, lunchtime session, we will look at ways of preparing to be surprised, what the nature of “surprise” is, and how to recognize the Ambush when it comes. Though this will still be a virtual program, we will use several exercises designed to open us up to be more vulnerable and receptive to the Divine Ambush. Come prepared to lay your thinking caps to the side and just “be”.

NOTE:This is part two of a three part series by Kris looking at how we can realize the lessons of the dark night of the soul in our spiritual development. The previous session in March, "Unpacking the Pandemic: Marking a Year of Unknowing" is not a prerequisite to this event. The third session is scheduled for July and will focus on discernment of the experience of growth and development.

There is no charge for this event, but a free-will offering will be graciously accepted to support the ongoing ministry of Rolling Ridge.