I remember my college pastor Ben Patterson often quoting the verse, “In Him, we move and have our being.”
I was excited to see that verse in today’s post by Preston Yancey because, like my college pastor, he is one of those thinker-writer types that incorporates the poetry of Scripture into the poetry of their writing.
This fall I have been speaking about the topic of identity and what it means to actively seek God — therefore not only do I love the thought provoking words that Preston has penned below, but I am also excited for his debut book. It sounds like it has similar themes to my story which means it will most likely resonate with the souls of many of you.
Until you pick up his book, please pause for a minute and read his poetic unpacking of the stories of Scripture.
Photo Credit: Ian Pratt
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I’ve been reading One Thousand Gifts, dragging my pen across the page, beneath endless lines that are likened to something hallowed, wanting to mark each and every curve and line, each syllable and word as remarkable, indelible on my soul.
Ann mentions mana a handful of times, the odd substance the Israelites were sent to gather each morning, to collect just enough of for the day. Six days they gathered, the seventh they rested. On the sixth, they took enough for the seventh, but on any other day that they took more, the next morning it was rotted through. Useless.
I have been thinking about mana.
I walked through yesterday in a kind of elated haze. I have been learning to number the gifts, to see through to Him in all the ordinary. It is a difficult practice, these grace legs learning to overcome atrophy, to move forward on their own volition, to make a go of the crawl, the stand, the walk, the run.
There are times in the day it escapes me, when I feel this terra firma give way to old wounds and habituated ingratitude. I slip and the fall comes fast. I’m on my face in the dirt, hands beating against the soil in rage–upset with myself, with others, with God.
Why should the repose of joy be such a trying task? Why should it be so hard to find myself lost with abandon in the midst of His graciousness?
I read the book that day. I read the other books, too. I read the Book. I prayed. More than once, more than just the liturgy. Shouldn’t this be enough oil, enough momentum, this inertia of Christian living, to keep me at peace in the moment to moment, in the midst of this absurd stream of being with all its changes, its blend of salt water and fresh?
But my own words to a friend in an email two nights ago rebound on me: We have to look for the mana every day.
That was the trick, wasn’t it? The Israelites had to trust that every day, God would fleck the desert with the impossible unknown. I have to trust that every day, God has so littered my own life. There is mana in the midst of this ordinary, in the midst of this fleeting moment, in the space between this word and that one.
What was it Wordsworth said? “In this moment there is life and food for future years.”
Slowly things fall into their place. Illumination. Here, I begin to see. Isn’t my best friend writing his thesis on the Our Father? Do we not ask each time, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Mana.
Mana all around me, all the time, all of this place is covered with it, would that I only learn to see. Moreover, would that I learn to gather. What good is the mana if all I ever do is muse about its being? No. I must go out of the tent, must bend low, must take just enough for the day.
It will not be enough for tomorrow, tomorrow I will have to go again. But to know that in that moment I have collected that which can satisfy in the future, for I shall look back and recall He did this, He gave, each day, He will–He will!–give again–this, this is grace.
“In Him we move and have our being.”
I am learning to move in Him to find Him.
I am learning to look for mana, to trust for mana.
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Leave a thought, comment or question below for a chance to WIN one of two copies of Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost, and Found Again
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Preston also sometimes talks about relationships over on his blog. Here are a few of our favorites:
when we make vows long before they are ever spoken
when i have loved you for so long, a letter to hilary
be afraid that it won’t be, a letter to hilary
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saints, crossing himself, and high church spirituality. He now makes his home within the Anglican tradition. He is a writer, painter, baker, and speaker. An alumnus of Baylor University, Preston completed a masters in theology from St. Andrews University in Scotland before returning to the States. He currently lives in Waco, Texas.
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I’m so excited you guys are featuring him right now! I’ll be seeing him at the STORY Chicago conference this week. Before the conference details, I actually knew nothing about him, but I’m loving what I’m finding out and reading!
“… a journey you and many others may have already taken, or will take in the future: the movement from a secure faith into an overturned life. And arrive at a place that is bigger than narrow answers about God’s will, and clearer than the silences in between.” I’m a fan of Jefferson Bethke so it’s pretty neat he wrote the foreword.
I’m also currently reading One Thousand Gifts; for what seems like the one thousandth time! Each and every time it’s such a blessing, as was this reminder to daily seek out the mana of life. Keep counting grace!
He does litter our life with graces. Love these words! And would be so happy to win a copy of the new book!!!
Preston is such a prophet. I can’t wait to read his book.
I’ve been contemplating this for a while, and Preston just put it so beautifully. You’re never done, you gotta keep coming back every day.
I can’t wait to read this book!
I’d love to win a copy of this book. It sounds very interesting and I loved this blog post!! 🙂
I’ve been reading Preston’s work for some time and am interested in reading his book. I’d love to win!
Beautifully written. I will trust for mana, too.
Love his writing style. Look forward to reading his book.
“…that I learn to gather. What good is the mana if all I ever do is muse about its being? No. I must go out of the tent, must bend low…”
WHAT!? This hit me square in the face. Mana will not give nourishment to the bones if we simply look at it, but we must be a people of gathering, of going to those places where Jesus provides, even if we need to bend lower than we imagined or thought possible. On a day where I am striving to see His mana as enough, I am encouraged and blessed by this post!
Been thinking lately of how we need to present to the Spirit more often and God’s presence instead of compartmentalizing our lives. Thanks for the reminder.
I very much needed to hear this right now. Healing from two badly broken legs, I also quite enjoyed the ambulatory limb metaphors. xoxo
Jill Wilson thinks...
So simple a message, but yet to profound. Jesus kept it so simple for us, because he truly wanted us all to get the message that he alone can, will, and does meet our needs. Thank you for the remind Preston.
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