by Stephen W. Smith

We are all standing in the crucible. This is a time of great need, and great pressure—a crisis, which means in Chinese, a “dangerous opportunity.”  This present crisis is a convergence of deep change at the tectonic plates of our souls where everything is shifting and will be different. 

Yet, while we stand in this crucible, we are invited to know and to deeply know that God is near—that none of this catches God by surprise.  I received a note from a dear friend who was saying in a card, “Isn’t it interesting that in this precise time of world events, you and Gwen are seeking to move off center stage, live a quieter life and let go of so much of what you’ve started?”   She continued, “Now is our most urgent time to hear the message of soul care and I’m praying that God will raise up this vital message now, more than ever before.”

I’ve sat with this card—holding it in my hands and recognizing the truth of what our friend told us in that hand written card.

It really is amazing that the Board of Potter’s Inn began the shift and plan secession years ago before these perilous times.  The move from a retreat-based ministry to a message centric ministry was foundational to all the transition that you’ve both read about and participated in with us through your prayers, interest, and financial support. 

The centric message of caring for the soul is paramount these days as uncertainty, fear, isolation, discord, and anger are seething around us and in us.  These are the days to practice the care of our souls—lest we find ourselves swept into the raging waters of cynicism, anger, and despair.  That is an unholy trinity—cynicism, anger, and despair!  The only antidote to us is practicing the Presence of God.  As we practice the Presence of God, we cultivate and nourish our souls to be strong; face the winds of change and yet know we are anchored to a Truth that is both abiding and comforting—a posture that allows us to hear that “In Christ, all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).

With this in mind, I want to suggest Five Practices that I want to ask the Potter’s Inn family to collectively practice for the next 90 days—90 days before the end of 2020. By doing these simple practices, together, we will join hands and hearts with a community of faith around the world. We will not be alone and we will be knitted in love—wherever you are and wherever you are reading these words:

1. Take 20 minutes every day to be quiet and to sit in silence with God.  Silence helps us become AWARE that God is already in our midst. What is missing is our own awareness.  As we practice the quiet and silence without music, book or even the Bible, we are creating space for God.

2. Be in nature for some time every day. Nature, as we know, is the 1st book of God. It is where we see, hear, feel, smell the clandestine movements of God through the changing seasons, the beauty of a colored leaves and the fresh and clean air of the outdoors.

3. Limit our time in watching and reading the news—all news and on every network. This has been key in my own practice of life in Covid. Spend 30 minutes being caught up and informed and then pull away and turn the TV off and the computers go dark.

4. Practice a rhythm of life that is sustainable by every six days, making one complete and whole day as a day of rest.  I call this a DEAR DAY.  DEAR being an acronym meaning Drop Everything And Rest! Ask yourself this simple question the eve before you Sabbath:  What would bring me life on Sabbath?  And then do that which brings you life.  Cease talking about your work, your church, or your ministry for these hours.

5. Cultivate a relationship with 2-3 people that you can have the deeper conversations you need to have right now.  It’s just impossible to talk on a soul level in groups of 8 or in classes of 12. We were built for the church of 2-3 people and this is the church that Jesus himself described and prescribed for us in Matthew 18.  The deeper conversation is most always underneath the surface and begins with this question:  “What do I need to listen to from you right now?

Each one of these have their own challenges and of course modifications. But I believe that in these sacred practices, we will find the anchor that will hold us through this storm.

Our Transition

Gwen and I are continuing our work at Potter’s Inn—though now reducing our time to ‘part time.’  We are both involved in the podcast planning and work; both are offering spiritual direction and soul care intensives on a limited basis.  We continue to need to raise our own financial support and we appreciate your support through being a patron of the podcast or by your donations to Potter’s Inn.  We send this with our love and gratitude to each of you.