In Sync

A Reflection on the Psalm for June 5th, 2022:
The Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday

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Psalm 104

R. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. O Lord, how manifold are your works! The earth is full of your creatures. 

R. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 

When you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth. 

R. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 

May the glory of the Lord endure for-ever; may the Lord rejoice in his works. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. 

R. Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. 
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A sure-fire way to help my heart perceive the Spirit of God renewing the earth, is to spend time meditating on His creation. My heart has been restless of late—filled with anxiety, waves of emotion, and a sense of being untethered. The earth is filled with His goodness, yet it is also filled with destruction. I carry that destruction within me, and it dulls my mind, body, and spirit. But as I walked alongside the ocean this past weekend, I could sense my anchor being released; securing itself in place, and steadying my heart. I watched for signs of the movement of His Spirit, and very soon, they began to emerge. 

Sitting and gazing upon the ocean, I felt a cool breath of sea soaked air move into me. I settled into place leaning against a large, smooth rock, and I watched how God’s creation interacts. 

The sea tangle that clothes the boulder at the ocean’s edge, falls like drapes beneath it, reaching for the waves that arch and stretch below. And then the waves reach up to meet it—and when the two kiss, the waves animate the sea tangle, and they rejoice together in a dance. As the waves move the algae, it does not resist. It lifts and sways, gratefully receiving the life-giving water; moving wherever it is sent.


What is it in my heart that resists You, Lord?


Even the seemingly immovable rocks bend to the water—allowing it to shape and smooth them over time. Slowly and rhythmically the water works away, preening the rough edges, and recreating the stoic structures. Over time, they become a soft, malleable padding underfoot, readily moving with the rhythms of the waves. The once volatile relationship—one of clashing and struggle—matures into grace.


What are the areas of hardness within me that prevent me from swaying and dancing with You?


You are all that is good, life-giving, and true. Your breath awakens, moves, and enlivens me. Your water nourishes and cleanses me. Your face heals me and gives me hope. I long to synchronize my breath with Yours. Let Your exhale be my inhale. Let Your heartbeat slow my pace. As the earth relies solely on what You provide and when, so too may I rely on You, lift my face to You, and wait on Your Spirit. Amen.

“May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.”




Lori MacDonald
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