Stuck in Galilee?

     In John 7:40-53, there is a running commentary about who Jesus is and where he came from.  Everyone seems conflicted and yet they all seem to agree that he came from Galilee. It struck me as I read this that their perspective of Jesus was stuck!  They could only see him through one lens--nothing good comes from Galilee.  And yet Jesus wasn't hung up on their approval or disapproval. (Jn 5:41-42) He knew where he was from!  He was from God and deeply loved by God.  He was free to live his life from this place.
     It was twelve years ago when I had my first encounter with Sister Mary Ann Scoffield, she was well into her 70's and I was ending my 40's.   Her mandate still lingers with me, "Take a year to discern!".  I thought, "Why do I need to take a year to discern what I already know to be the next step in my spiritual journey." I was also a little indignant about having someone tell me that I needed to take a whole year to discern!  
     A year later, I sat listening to her talk about her relationship with God.   I was struck by her simple faith and her ability to see God in everything. In awe and wonder she said, " I just can't believe how big God is!"  As I put her discernment challenge together with her awe of God, I began to realize that maybe she saw something in me that I didn't. Maybe I was being prepared for God to show me a God that was so much more than the God I thought I knew!  My journey since then has been one of getting "unstuck" from my "Galilee" perspective of Jesus. 
     "Jesus, is there more to You?"  "God can this be You?"   "I have never experienced this, what is Your invitiation, God?"  "Why am I so resistant to change, could it be you offering me a way out?"  These are questions for the soul, not answered easily but for me questions that invite me to deepen with God so He can care for the deeper needs of my soul! 

Missy