By: Steve Klassen:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” (Matthew 23:37)
Natalie had been thinking about this picture from the lips of Jesus for a while. Then on the first evening of their mission trip to Greater Vancouver it came again. During a prayer time with some people trained by Samuel’s Mantle this verse was quoted and the picture of God’s heart was given to this team from Fort Saskatchewan.
Earlier on Wednesday I was privileged to guide the group of grade nine students in an orientation on listening to God. I was asked to do this because Fort Saskatchewan Christian School values listening for God’s voice. It’s developed a fabric in the culture of the school that I was happy to visit about a year ago. Teachers are training their students to pay attention for God’s activity and presence in their lives.
And how is God with us? Apparently “as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings”.
Some of you remember Dan’s experience from a few years ago that has stayed with us. Since that retreat, the question, “What is God’s posture towards you?” has been one of my favourites. I asked that very question to the group Wednesday afternoon, and Natalie felt like the answer came Wednesday evening in the picture from Matthew 23.
I asked Natalie what the picture was speaking to her and she answered, “God’s posture towards our group of grade nines is gentle. God is not forcing us around. He is with us in an intimate and caring way. The chicks want to be under the wings of the hen.”
A week later, early this Wednesday morning as this group was preparing to fly home, I read a Psalm in a men’s group in the rooftop at the MARK Centre Chalet. This phrase from Psalm 91 sounded like Natalie’s picture –
“He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge”
People all around us are facing significant challenges. Some are finding it helpful to ask this question, “Lord, what is your posture towards me?” Natalie did, and she travelled back to her home with a picture she won’t forget. Have you asked God recently what his posture is towards you?
