"Thinning" Times

Last Sunday our young priest talked about what I think he called a "thinning" place. For example, he was in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas for a camp function and there midst the beauty of the land and sky, he felt a closeness with the Holy Spirit that was incredible. He described it as if the curtain between us mortals and God had been thinned in its sheerness and God wanted him to connect in a personal way.

Since then, I have been talking to other people about finding a "thinning" place and was surprised to find this happens all the time and one does not need to be in a scenic location. The feeling can happen anywhere and when it does, it is truly is incredible.

With that being said, I wanted to share with my reader's a time in the spring of 2011 when my "thinning" place was found. I was on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise of the Greek islands when we stopped at the tiny island of Rhodes. This island borders the Aegean Sea and centuries ago was the home of one of the world's seven ancient Wonders of the World- the giant statue of Colossus the Titan Helios, whom legend claimed straddled the entire harbor. The statue was felled by an earthquake in 226 B.C. In modern times, there are small statues of deer erected on top columns in the harbor. The town is surrounded by fortress walls which for historians is a medieval delight.

The island is very poor and locals are proud of their one mountain (or rather a very large hill). Tour buses can drive to the top and enter the old Monastery of Filerimos which overlooks the entire island and has a captivating view of the unusual azure color of the Aegean Sea.  The monastery was built in a Gothic style in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John over the ruins of a Byzantine monastery. Some of the ancient wall murals are made in Byzantine fashion. An underground baptism area was dug outside the walls and I was told that Christians had to literally be "underground" to hide their baptisms to avoid persecution.

So I am describing the circumstances in which I found myself and about 40 others from my bus as we climbed past the baptism area and entered the very dark monastery. Inside, the only light we had was from rays of sunshine coming in from the stained glass windows. It was a tight fit for so many people. The monk's  chairs were placed against the walls, dark, hand-carved wood with high seats and many of us sat in them and others kneeled because it was a relief to get inside out of the hot sun. The small altar place was gated so tourists could not trample through the sacred area, but we were very close to it and could see the vessels and coverings.

As I was kneeling with tourists of all nations, a feeling of contentment and peace washed over me. It was indescribable. Suddenly I said aloud, "I am going to pray." And everyone hushed. Somehow the words came easily as I praised God Almighty and thanked him for letting us walk in the path of Paul. Thanked him for bringing us to this place where Christians had suffered persecution. And asked him to bless us as travelers in his most holy kingdom. I honestly don't recall what else I prayed for, but when I finished it was very still in the room. When we stood, several tourists who spoke English thanked me for praying. Some asked me if I was a pastor.

For those of you who know me, you realize that I do not speak well in front of a group. My voice usually quivers. I have been known to lose my voice entirely along with my nervousness. So for me to speak to a crowd of people was a miracle of sorts. And we all know who gave me the courage to do so, don't we? Hint - starts with G, ends with D and has an O in the middle.
My sudden prayer was a product of an indescribable feeling. My own "thinning" place with God. A time when I felt I could almost touch him. He was reaching through the curtain for my heart, my mind and allowed my body to be washed with his presence.

What a wonderful "thinning" time for me. I hope that those of you who read this will experience the same for yourself. It is my belief that this does not happen one time only. I believe it happens often when you let God know you are ready.

Yours in Christ,
Mary