Beyond the Binary | The Unknowns of God

Britni D'Eliso December 5, 2025

Most humans seem to crave clarity, predictability, and semblance of control. We naturally tend to look for patterns and clues to give us information about the world around us, as we are wired for self-preservation. Essentially, whether it is a conscious thought or not, we are navigating our daily lives with a goal of not dying, and looking out for anything that might put that at risk. When we are able to categorize whatever we encounter throughout our days as either safe vs unsafe, known vs unknown, or favorable vs unfavorable, it increases our odds of staying alive and maintaining a satisfactory or even more meaningful life.

But what happens when we learn of the One who created us and we discover that that Creator doesn’t fit into a single one of our predetermined categories? What does it mean to accept this God’s invitation into a lifelong relationship, when doing so requires you to move toward the unknown and risk it being unsafe or unfavorable?

Isn’t this the very essence of trust? To hear God beckoning our hearts, turn from the cocoon of safety and control that we’ve spent a lifetime weaving, and stretch out toward God’s offer of a mysterious living water? Jesus paints a clearer picture of this gift made available to us, when he engages with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. While she converses with him about the known, tangible thing in front of them (actual water from a well), he describes something with less tangibility, but more promise for hope and meaning.

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The woman takes Jesus up on his offer, catching a glimmer of the hope that lives behind it, and sacrifices her social and economical safety to pursue it. She goes back into town, as a single woman, and proclaims this newfound mystery and risk and healing and eternal life. While this account in John does include the townspeople responding favorably to the woman’s testimony, that response wasn’t and isn’t guaranteed. But the invitation to follow this mysterious God still stands.

I was reminded by a friend recently that God is not a God of chaos. While the world around us seems to be on the path toward dystopia, God continues to be the source of peace and intentionality. However, that doesn’t mean that God’s ways fit into our limited boxes or categories. Our healing and growth can be found in embracing the unknown and sometimes uncomfortable experience of this God of mystery.

Consider contemporary poet Tom Hiron’s depiction of this God as the sometimes wild source of Life:

An Excerpt from Sometimes a Wild God*

Sometimes a wild god comes to the table.
He is awkward and does not know the ways
Of porcelain, of fork and mustard and silver.
His voice makes vinegar from wine.

When the wild god arrives at the door,
You will probably fear him.
He reminds you of something dark
That you might have dreamt,
Or the secret you do not wish to be shared.

He will not ring the doorbell;
Instead he scrapes with his fingers
Leaving blood on the paintwork,
Though primroses grow
In circles round his feet.

You do not want to let him in.
You are very busy.
It is late, or early, and besides…
You cannot look at him straight
Because he makes you want to cry.

Your dog barks;
The wild god smiles.
He holds out his hand and
The dog licks his wounds,
Then leads him inside.

The wild god stands in your kitchen.
Ivy is taking over your sideboard;
Mistletoe has moved into the lampshades
And wrens have begun to sing
An old song in the mouth of your kettle.
…

About the Author

Britni is a quiet but fearless spirit who is earnestly seeking the beauty of the redemption that Jesus has personally determined for her life. Committed to the truth that listening breeds understanding and understanding results in compassion, she clings to the power of life’s stories. She has embarked on the venture of discovering her own story and lending an ear to the stories lived out in others and savors the trace of Jesus that is woven throughout them all. Currently, that journey has landed her in a balancing act between the role of wife, momma, and a mental health Care Coordinator.

Loving Our Enemies Within | Made in God’s Image

Britni D'Eliso September 12, 2025

What is a distinct quirk about you that very few people know about? Something that only those who’ve lived with you or known at some of your most vulnerable moments might be aware of?

For me, some quirks that come to mind are that I can’t stand the sound of metal scraping against teeth, so my family knows they can’t bite down on silverware when we eat together. Or that I really dislike mayonnaise, except for when I’m dipping artichokes in a little dish of it. Or that I tend to be oblivious to what’s going on around me, but I can almost always tell you if the person I just met had a wedding ring on or not.

These are fairly inconsequential, but are still little tidbits that make me, uniquely me. What is significant is to consider all of the billions of people to have walked this earth, each with their own distinct traits and quirks, that all flow from the limitless mind of our Creator. I love the thought that each precious being that God has created represents a new and special facet of who God is. From the very moment of humankind’s existence, it’s been clear that we are made in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27
“So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them”

But celebrating who I am and how I was made has been a difficult idea to fully grasp.

I’ve been on a decade-long journey of transforming my perspective about how I view myself and how God views me. I grew up with the understanding that I was to make myself as small as possible, to allow God enough room to fully consume me. While I still believe we are to invite God to dwell within us, abiding in God as God abides in us, I wonder how much that actually requires us to diminish ourselves.

If we are made in God’s image, and creation reflects God’s glory, are we robbing ourselves and one another of a fuller understanding of God when we disregard ourselves? If we fixate on making our body, thoughts, feelings, perspectives, hopes, or joys less, are we obscuring a picture of God that might be made visible through us?

While this question is held in the nuanced balance of avoiding pride and self-reliance, how do we also recognize ourselves as an intentional masterpiece designed by the Creator?

I wonder if curiously listening to my ambitions or gently inviting my recurring fears might reveal something about what God has wired me for? Perhaps my own longings or hangups may tell me more about what matters to God’s heart too? This isn’t a blind or selfish pursuit of “my way or the highway,” but rather not being afraid to acknowledge that God created me, and you, and us, and saw that it was Good. Can I have the courage to look within and perhaps find goodness too?

I’m not interested in walking this journey on my own, or trying to find my own way, because I understand where that leads. But I’m certainly intrigued by the idea of what this journey can look like if God and I are walking it hand in hand, with me bringing my full self to this path. By holding onto our whole selves, as God’s created beings, I suspect we may discover new and beautiful aspects of God. May we have the courage to let God guide us as we look within, and the courage to share what we’ve found with those alongside us.

About the Author

Evolution of Our Faith | Receiving God’s Grace

Britni D'Eliso April 25, 2025

Lately, I’ve been needing help to reignite my passion, intrigue and pursuit of the Scriptures.

While the last 10 years or so has been marked by reexamining the faith I was introduced to as a child and what it means to me today, this has impacted my relationship to reading the Bible. Though well-intentioned, some of how the Bible and specific scriptures were presented to me in my youth has proven a bit problematic. Scriptures were used to convince me that my body is bad, that purity is behavior and performance based and cannot be reclaimed once it’s been “lost,” and that there is a concept of a “good Christian” and a “bad Christian.” I’m so thankful for the gentle healing and kindness I’ve been invited into over the past decade, but recognize some collateral damage that’s remained mostly unresolved is a difficulty in knowing how to re-engage with the Bible.

How do I understand the context and true intent of some of these previously harmful passages and rediscover a loving, just and righteous God within them? I’ve recently shifted to using the First Nations Version and the Biblically inspired Book of Belonging as my primary sources of regular Scripture reading. While I’m not here to endorse the idea that we ought to neglect consistent study of Bible translations that closely mirror the original text and their accompanying commentaries, I am here to suggest that there may be seasons where we can consider other tools to help digest and engage with Scripture. These two books have provided me with fresh language and perspectives on the same core stories and teachings of the Bible, that resonate in meaningful ways without evoking painful baggage of past hurts.

On this journey of unpacking and repacking the foundations of my faith, I’ve received the encouragement from my spiritual director that even our questioning, pushing back, reevaluating, and thinking outside of our original “boxes” demonstrates that we are still experiencing a yearning for connection with God. Where the risk lies is in apathy and inaction. It’s been a process of giving myself permission to envision God in new and different ways, as I acknowledge that God is certainly not limited to the conjecture of what I first imagined God to be, in my more limited understanding. With new images and understanding of God can come new ways of engaging and communicating with God that may break my previous mold. God is still the Creator, Author, and Lover, and is still depicted in human form by Jesus. As long as my orientation continues to point me toward understanding and engaging with this God, I can expect that it will take many various shapes and styles throughout my lifetime.

Do you know what’s the very best part? God can handle it all.

Sometimes our fellow Christians may not be able to handle it, and sometimes our own hearts might be overwhelmed by confusion or hurt. But, throughout all of our winding and shifting paths, God continues to beckon us and long for us and be enough for us.

Wherever you find yourself on your walk today, may you experience God’s grace and allow it to soften your judgments of yourself and those around you. God invites us to keep leaning in as we refine our understanding of what trust can look like.

Psalm 139: 7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

About the Author

Think about Such Things | Healing by Grace

Britni D'Eliso February 14, 2025

I’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions (the moment I use that label, my brain immediately dismisses it as something I likely won’t complete), but I did set an intention and hope to start a new rhythm this year. My loose and non–binding goal is to adjust the content I knowingly consume on a regular basis. I’m working to take in more positive, Jesus-oriented words, images and ideas; and to consume less divisive, negative or destructive content. For me, this is largely centered around how I engage with my smart phone.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s definition of addiction (“using substances or engaging in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences”), it’s safe to say that many Americans are addicted to their phones. I am no exception. As I’ve started to more honestly pay attention to my behaviors day to day, I absolutely notice a compulsive tendency to pick up my phone whenever there is a lull in conversation, I’m waiting for a meeting to start, I want a distraction from an unfavorable task, etc. And there are undeniably harmful consequences, such as a more sedentary lifestyle, a disconnect from real human beings sitting across from me, or the danger of relying on distraction instead of navigating more complex emotions or situations. Yikes!

But what to do about this reality? How do we pursue new rhythms and disrupt these sorts of behaviors?

A lot of my early church experience was taught through a lens of shame, with some effective but destructive outcomes. Through well–intended messages about sin and repentance, I internalized a belief that I was not capable of anything more than my default sinful behavior, which was hard to reconcile with messages that God loved me for who I was. As I’m now over halfway through my 30’s, (does that make me officially middle-aged?!) I've embarked on a journey of discovering new ways to heal, adapt and grow, that aren’t centered in shame stories.

I still recognize a need to identify where I fall short, where the grace of God fills in the gaps and offers change. In my smartphone example, I acknowledge that I’ve been feasting on unhealthy and unhelpful social media content. I recognize that I’ve been inviting various social media pundits to shape how I view the world, our community, and myself. This is not a nourishing or Christ-like behavior. I have the opportunity, with a posture of humility and self–compassion, to pursue new rhythms, bathed in God’s grace. This might look like developing a practice of not opening apps on my phone until after I eat breakfast, or replacing time spent “scrolling” on my phone with time spent journaling or calling a friend.

One of the bigger barriers I’ve encountered in these attempts is the tendency to get stuck in a cycle of shame at the point of any misstep. While behavior change, or spiritual refinement, takes practice, it can be discouraging to keep moving forward after not succeeding on the first try. But God is a God of grace and mercy, who looks at us and sees our fullest potential.

In a practice of self–reflection at the beginning of this year, I recognized a need to reorient my mind and body to dwell on more heavenly things. I understood this clearly to be a prompt to spend less time on my phone and more time soaking up the good that God has offered us. This quest has provided the opportunity to reframe how God and I work together toward growth and refinement. By his grace and his persistent love, we are invited to partner in pursuit of the wholeness he created us for.

Lamentations 3:22–23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

About the Author

Who is Our Rock? | We Need Each Other

Britni D'Eliso November 22, 2024

When Mike and I climbed the South Sister a few years ago, there were many moments throughout the 12+ mile trek that I questioned my chance of survival. The distance and the elevation gain were pretty grueling for me, as someone who had done minimal training on exclusively flat terrain. While Mike hiked confidently forward, high on adrenaline and the thrill of it all, I was clinging to my trekking poles for every step.

The worst of it was most definitely the ~1 mile stretch of shale toward the top of the mountain. My legs were rubber at best, by this point, and the shale was slippery, unpredictable and unforgiving. It was like going on a 5 mile run and then attempting to finish with a 200 yard sprint on dry sand. More than once, I suggested to Mike that we seemed to be close enough to the summit and we could probably just call it a day. Thankfully he had enough enthusiasm to keep us both going until we actually reached the top. And I can assure you, the view and the sense of accomplishment were absolutely worth it.

Our daily grind of life responsibilities, paid and unpaid work, interpersonal dynamics and surviving the often violent and confusing condition of our country, can often feel like trying to walk uphill on slippery ground with little strength to draw on. The next step can feel uncertain and there can be doubt as to whether or not the destination is really worth the current heartache and strain.

John Mark Comer’s “Practicing the Way” offers wisdom and recommendations for how to implement new rhythms in our lives that promote an authentic partnership with Jesus. He acknowledges that our life journey is difficult, with stretches of the path that are rocky and unstable, but there are practices we can implement that serve as supports and strategies.

During my mountain climb, I relied heavily on Mike’s encouragement, the stability of my trekking poles, and the incentive of our next snack break. Without these resources, I would have undoubtedly given up a third of the way up the mountain and missed the satisfaction of the summit. Not to mention the beauty along the way, seen in high mountain lakes, wildflowers, and smaller vistas.

Throughout life’s stretches of shale, soft sand, or uphill climbs, we have resources available that can help keep us moving, in an upright position. In Comer’s book, he weaves many of these supports (prayer, scripture, worship, justice, etc.) within the broader context of community. While relationships can be messy and hard, at the end of the day, we need each other to make it up this mountain. “We simply are not meant to follow Jesus alone. The radical individualism of Western culture is not only a mental health crisis and growing social catastrophe; it’s a death blow to any kind of serious formation into Christlike love. Because it’s in relationships that we are formed and forged.” (Practicing the Way, pg 187)

No matter how advanced our hiking gear is, or how pristine the weather might be, there is no direct replacement for the encouragement provided by a partner, or the smiles and nods offered by those you pass on their way back down the mountain. While there is beauty in solitude and growth found in silence and stepping aside, we were wired to thrive in relationship and connection.

While we are navigating the different seasons of turmoil and ease, may we look to each other. Whether we are extending a hand or tightly grasping the hand that’s been offered to us, let us not grow weary in being there for one another. As we read in Hebrews 10:23-25, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

How beautiful it is to reach the summit, together.

About the Author

Living in Our Moments | Practicing Acceptance

Britni D'Eliso August 2, 2024

I think one of the most difficult aspects of practicing mindfulness, or living in the moment, is to refrain from meddling. When I pause to notice a current moment, or reflect on a past memory, it’s accompanied by a need to either prolong or speed up whatever I might be experiencing.

When I stub my toe, I’m keenly aware of that very moment in time and begin frantically doing what I can to speed it up, until I reach the point when the pain subsides.

When I’m driving along 101 and make the inevitable turn to the East, to head back home, I strain my eyes and my nose to drink in whatever I can of the ocean, trying my hardest to manipulate the moment into something that lasts a little longer.

As humans, we seem to have difficulty accepting the restraints of time, always anxious to meddle a bit to better serve our own needs for comfort and ease. But I think God has something better for us. When we encounter a near-death experience or hear about a loved one who does, we are challenged to zoom out and consider just how delicate this life really is. We recognize, even if just briefly, that all that isguaranteed is this very moment that we are currently living and breathing. God designed his creation with a certain degree of fragility, requiring us to depend on something greater and to absorb and accept what each moment brings us. Regardless of our attempts to cope with, manipulate, or reinterpret our life experiences, God has created us to only be alive in each present moment.

Through the therapy approach Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, there is research suggesting that healing and wholeness can be found in acknowledging our reality, distinguishing it from our identity, and moving through each moment with acceptance and peace. This is not about sitting back and “taking it,” but about understanding the reality of each moment, without a need to change or ignore it, and working to continually reconnect with the core of who you are in the midst of that moment. Finding what’s true and unchanging in the midst of every circumstance and pausing to re-ground or recalibrate, moment by moment. This approach rings even more true when we consider our reality and our identity is grounded in the Prince of Peace.

Words from the prophet Jeremiah remind us that in each current moment, God sustains us and we can trust him:

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

While reflecting on the past and planning for the future are normal and healthy ways to navigate this life, I also hope to deepen a practice of noticing and accepting each current moment, without judgment or need to slightly tweak it. May God fill us with reassuring grace and peace that solidifies the ground holding up our feet, so we may stand in the present with intentionality and confidence in his provision.

About the Author

Just Breathe

Britni D'Eliso June 21, 2024

As an intro to today's blog I am going to tell a little story about walking my dog today.

Saying our dog, Nina, loves her walks is an understatement! And today, I had so much going on that if we were going to walk, I had to get up early and 'git-r-done'.

I'm not sure what got into Nina this morning, but she was wired for sound. Walking so fast and sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff! Walking and sniffing, walking and sniffing, so preoccupied that she didn't even notice another dog in the vicinity. Who slipped my dog some cocaine?

And then I had a thought. I'm kinda like that right now, aren't I, Lord? Dancing as fast as I can, so many projects, so little time. My home, my family, my friends...Lord how will I get it all done? Will the world keep spinning if I don't try and do it all?

I read Britni's blog and took the time to put it into practice. I hope you will too!

~Darla

As a detour from our current blog theme and typical sort of Salt Blog content, I wanted to offer you a simple chance to pause and breathe.

In the midst of whatever life may hold for you right now, be it anxiety about a pending decision; a mundane list of to-do’s; excitement for a new opportunity; or despair over an outcome you can’t control, take a moment to slow down and get grounded.

Notice the pace and depth of your current breathing. Is it slow and deep, or shallow and quick? Are you breathing through your mouth or your nose? Is there tension in your face or are your muscles relaxed?

Now take an intentional slow breath in through your nose, feeling your chest expand, and hold it briefly. Then slowly exhale through your mouth, pushing out all the air in your lungs until they feel empty, which prompts another breath in.

As you focus and slow your breathing, recall a phrase, word or scripture that rings true for you. Allow yourself to breathe in the peace of knowing this to be fully and undoubtedly true. Perhaps you think of “God is love,” “I am known,” or “God’s ways are good.” Savor a moment of assurance and calm, in the midst of wherever you have been or are headed on this day.

Gradually bring your breath back to it’s normal rhythm and read Psalm 46 aloud:

Psalm 46 NIV

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.A song.

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,

the desolations he has brought on the earth.

He makes wars cease

to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

If this exercise was difficult for you, or you’d like another tool to help prompt you to practice deep breathing in the future, check out this quick video! Just Breathe

About the Author

Inspiration and Revelation | A Familiar Tune

Britni D'Eliso May 10, 2024

After sitting through years of church services as a kid, listening to the same four worship songs on rotation every other week (Shout to the North and God of Wonders, anyone?), I've grown a bit calloused to late 90’s and early 00’s worship music. While I understand that these songs and others have been and continue to be incredibly meaningful to many followers of Jesus, I just heard them one too many times on the local Christian radio station.

However, I had to eat my words a bit during the worship set of a recent conference I attended. The first verse of Heart of Worship, by Matt Redman in 1999, popped up on the screen and my heart fluttered.

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come

I was brought right back to the classroom that I crammed into with about 40 other 7th graders in Jr. High, to join in impromptu worship during our lunch break. Throughout much of that year, my 12 and 13 year old peers and I would opt to use our lunch break or free periods to gather in worship through music. We were encountering Jesus in a really sweet way and couldn’t get enough. While middle school often proves to be a confusing and challenging season of life, for me it was also marked by experiencing a new and intimate depth of knowing Jesus. And singing this song over 20 years later stirred a sweet wave of meaning and love in the deep places inside of me.

What followed was an even more impactful and unexpected gift. The worship leader ended our time together with the song I Love You Lord, which was actually written by an Oregonian woman in the late 70’s!* While this song is precious and well-known to many of us, what holds deep significance for me is that this was a favored song by my Grandma, who passed away when I was in elementary school. Ever since I Love You Lord was sung at her memorial service, it became my go-to song for comfort and grounding. When I was laying in bed, afraid of the dark and unable to sleep, I would sing this to myself and feel wrapped in a hug of peace and reassurance. This was my most consistent method of tuning in to the constant proximity of Jesus, reminding myself of his closeness and faithfulness.

When the first few notes were played on her guitar, I knew the song deep in my bones. Okay God, I see you seeing me right now.

I have a tattoo on my shoulder that includes a cairn, meant to serve as a reminder of the moments throughout my life that I have witnessed the goodness of God, while trusting that the same God is still good today. The cairn is a nod to biblical texts describing moments when a stack of rocks was left to mark a battle’s victory or an experience of God’s faithfulness. Today, cairns are often used “on hiking trails to serve as trail markers or navigational aids, helping fellow hikers find their way, particularly in areas with unclear or challenging paths.”**

For me, it’s a permanent marker to represent when I have witnessed God heal, speak, or press in close.

Joining a group of women in singing this sweet chorus, with voices echoing throughout the rustic grounds of a dated conference center provided me with another stone to stack on my cairn of God’s faithfulness. The music moved my body, heart and spirit and gifted me with a memory of who God was and with the encouragement of who God will forever be.

*History of Hymns: 'I Love You, Lord'

**Stacking Rocks

About the Author

Like a Child | She Knows What She Wants

Britni D'Eliso April 5, 2024

We have long used the phrase “she knows what she wants” about our youngest kiddo. From the age when she could first express distaste and earnest curiosity, it’s been clear that she has specific, refined preferences and will not be persuaded otherwise.

While this can often be frustrating when she insists on wearing the blue skirt that’s currently in the middle of the wash cycle while we are trying to get out the door on time, I must admit that I’ve always been a bit jealous of this characteristic (or skill?) that she has. It must feel so freeing and empowering to walk in the world with a sure confidence in what you want, what you like and how you plan to get it. Of course, while there’s a balance to be had (enter: parenting), for her to learn that she must be considerate of other people and possible implications of her desires; there is something precious to behold and even aspire to in someone naming their desire and pursuing it.

The feeling and experience of desire is a complicated one, that God wired us to feel alongside all our other emotions. I’ve often been told in a church context that as a human, my desires are sinful and dangerous and to be explored with caution and mostly set aside “for the sake of the Cross.” Just as a young child needs to learn how to reign in their inclinations out of consideration for the needs of others, we certainly ought to pursue a balance of engaging our desires while committing to whatever sacrifice God asks of us. But I’m not convinced that God is always asking us to perpetually withhold any and all pleasures.

God clearly made our bodies to savor a delicious meal, relish an intimate touch, and bask in the warmth of the sun. God’s intentional design for humans to seek the satisfaction of meaningful connection with each other and the thrill of accomplishing a hard earned feat must indicate some purpose for us to want, pursue, and then gain good things.

If this was God’s intention, then we ought to pay attention to our pangs of desire and interest, practicing curiosity about what those feelings might be telling us about ourselves. May we channel our inner five year old and unabashedly voice our hopes, dreams, wants and needs. And may we trust that the God who created us with the capacity to desire, also loves to lead us to the moments of glee and satisfaction in unwrapping the gifts he gives.

Matthew 7:7-10
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

About the Author

Who Does God Say I Am? | God Calls Us Beautiful

Britni D'Eliso January 5, 2024

I remember the first time that I explicitly learned that what is beautiful to one person can be really, really not beautiful to another. My neighbor and close friend was on a mission to find a new pet cat and invited me to join her in visiting a cat that someone was selling. Her quest was complicated, as her dad was severely allergic to cats, but this cat for sale was known as “hairless cat” so it would be feasible to have in their home.

When we arrived and were introduced to the cat, I was positive we would leave saying “thanks, but no thanks,” as it was one of the ugliest cats I’d seen. I wasn’t familiar with, or prepared for, seeing a hairless cat in person, and it was rough. But what shocked me more was my friend’s response! She was downright enamored, with the rat-like tail, oversized ears, and slightly translucent skin. It was love at first sight, and my friend clearly, unbelievably, found this little creature to be beautiful.

We’ve likely all heard different adages about beauty.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
“No pain, no beauty.”
“Beauty is only skin deep.”
Beauty is a culturally defined concept that is a bit nuanced, describing a view that is aesthetically pleasing while also maintaining a standard that can evoke shame or inadequacy. It’s also subjective, even within cultural norms, as evidenced by the differing opinion between my friend and I.

But what is not debatable, dependent on context, or subjective in any way, is God’s view of humanity as beautiful. God created humans, “looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31 NLT).

God sees your wrinkles, blemishes, cellulite and extra skin. He sees your eyes, nose, mouth and ears, your frizzy or greasy hair, and your weird-shaped toes. He sees your temperament, your lazy, selfish, and anxious days. And he calls you beautiful. Just by being his chosen and created child, you cannot be seen as anything but beautiful to him! Zephaniah states that he “takes great delight in you…and will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

This has not been a truth that has been easy for me to accept, most days. Insecurities and glaring messages surround me and often overwhelm God’s voice of affirmation, adoration, and love. In my younger years, I think I tried to just will myself to believe God’s truths about me, hoping that if I thought about it long and hard enough, eventually I’d convince myself and they would be easier to trust. And interestingly enough, that hasn’t really proven to work.

Rather, I wonder if it’s a choice to embrace the sometimes fleeting moments of feeling the warmth of God’s acceptance. It may be about savoring moments of feeling God’s smile flood my body and welcoming the truth, in that second, that God calls me beautiful. Perhaps even when we witness a sunset, a mountain peak, or a spring flower, we can take a step further and internalize that appreciation of beauty in recognition that it lives within us too.

Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

About the Author

In the Midst of Chaos | Silver Linings

Britni D'Eliso November 3, 2023

Where does grace play out in the midst of life around us? Whether we are looking at our own lives or the chaos in the world we live in, what does intimacy with God in a world of turmoil look like? Emotions – what do they tell us, why do they matter, how does God use them to communicate with us? Follow the blog team this season as we look at finding Hope in the God who loves us as we navigate this crazy world.

Being a parent requires one to master the art of finding-the-silver-lining. While I aim to create an environment where my kids have permission to feel sad, disappointed, jealous or angry, I am also keenly aware that they can be swallowed up by those emotions if I don’t chime in with a quick perspective shift.

You are bummed because you just finished your last soccer game? I’m sorry, but at least that means it’s time for the end of the season pizza party!

You are disappointed because you are not allowed to wear your favorite, sequined dress to the pumpkin patch? I’m sorry, but that means you can plan to wear it to church and make it an extra special (and sparkly) weekend!

You are devastated because your cherished lego creation fell to the floor and broke apart? I’m sorry, but now we can help you build a new one, that’s bigger and has parts that can move!

Sometimes the alternative I can offer is a bit lackluster, but with the right timing and enthusiasm, it usually does the trick. And it’s a skill that translates to many aspects of my own life. When the restaurant is out of my favorite menu item, I suppose I could branch out to try something new. When my outdoor plans get rained out, I get the chance to catch up on my reading.

But what about when it’s more than just a disappointment or a foiling of plans? What about the days when the heaviness of the world around us makes it hard to function? Or when we suffer an unimaginable loss and have to get up and face the next day?

Perhaps this is where we lean further into Yahweh, the God who generates and holds our hope. He is the originator of all silver-linings, the one who knows our deepest needs and yearnings, and the author of all that is Good. When we run out of distractions, reframes and fresh perspectives, God is still there, supplying hope.

We see countless examples from Paul choosing to rely on God and cling to His everlasting hope in the midst of truly dire situations. In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul excels in finding the ultimate silver-lining in the midst of extreme discomfort and hardship. He pursues and models endurance and a recognition that despite his suffering as a prisoner, there is benefit in sharing of the Gospel.

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains,most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (NIV)

This isn’t an argument to dismiss our pain or emotions, but to cling to hope and look for light in the midst of them. Pursuing hope, making meaning, and seeking out peace is not to placate or minimize the often irresolvable heartaches we encounter in this world, but to find at least a semblance of a reason to keep going. We don’t need hope to explain away pain or to pretend suffering isn’t real; we need hope to be our lifeblood and our sustenance on the days when we are surrounded by chaos. And typically, when we are navigating that degree of stress, we need to rely on Yahweh to hold the hope strongly in place, as our anchor and our beacon.

Viktor Frankl, an Austrian, Jewish Psychiatrist who survived multiple Nazi concentration camps, developed a framework that is reminiscent of Paul’s approach to enduring suffering. Prior to his imprisonment and torture at the hand of the Nazis Frankl was considering a fresh perspective on the role of meaning-making in the face of difficulty. As he survived hell on earth over the course of three years, his philosophy became more pronounced and contributed to his ability to survive. Frankl concluded that "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." In other words, no one or no event can fully rob humankind of our ability to interpret and react to what happens in our lives. We can choose hope, and we can cling to hope, and we can rely on hope to carry us through whatever crosses our path.

In the midst of our current chaotic world, and in the midst of whatever you may be navigating in this season of life, may you find a path to encounter the Giver of hope, and find that to be enough.

About the Author

The Joy of Being Human | Wired for Connection

Britni D'Eliso July 28, 2023

I often find myself in conversations at work referring to someone “being human” in a specific conversation or situation. So much of our professional lives can be made up of “transactional” behavior that centers on tasks or outcomes – to the point where we can actually distinguish the difference between the “transactional” and “human-focused” interactions. While that may be indicative of some larger social and systemic problems to work out, I do love those conversations in which we can just be authentically human together…

Taking a moment to acknowledge the awkwardness or irony of a situation.

Disarming a power dynamic by finding commonalities.

Admitting apprehension about an upcoming task.

Disclosing details about one’s homelife and how it impacted them getting out the door that morning.

Practicing “humanness” together is about connection, transparency, acknowledgement and validation. As Brene Brown highlights in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are, “we are wired for connection. It’s in our biology. From the time we are born, we need connection to thrive emotionally, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.” And why are we wired that way? Partly because we are created in the image of a God whose image and being is expressed through relationship.

Reading and discussing the Abba Journey book series has shown me a new layer of beauty in the image of God and what that means for us as God’s creation. God cherishes connection and relationship so deeply, that She invites us to understand Her through the vehicle of the Trinity. God is made up of multiple persons that are in constant communion with each other, as a steady example of ongoing relationship. Not only that, but God offers a deeper invitation to connection by creating humans to require it for our very well-being!

While it’s a bit abstract to wrap our minds around, I find it endlessly beautiful to consider God’s value of interpersonal connections, and that one of the very best parts of our nature as humans is mirrored in that. Our drive and need to identify with one another, to share deep felt experiences, to know and be known, is one of the most human things about us and it’s also one of the most divine.

While relating to others is often complicated, and easily becomes transactional, the genuine connection that can be found is our true lifeblood. It’s so worth the effort, intentionality and perseverance required of us to invest in our fellow humans. May we study and work to practice the example set by our triune God, perpetually seeking new depths of connection and relationship with one another.

John 17:20-23 NIV
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

About the Author

In His Image | A Quiet Invitation

Britni D'Eliso May 5, 2023

Sometimes, my mental picture of God gets a bit fuzzy. During seasons when I feel surrounded by stories of heartache, confusion, and unanswered questions, I can’t always make out the outline of the Father in my mind or my heart. My connection and communication with God can almost feel like a faint mirage, or a candle flickering, on the verge of fading into the noise. There is still a consistent presence, as God has certainly proven undeniable, but in these moments, it’s sometimes just in a whisper.

I wonder if you have ever felt that?

One might call these seasons of doubt, distance, or darkness. I’ve found that categorizing this experience can be demoralizing and overly-prescriptive for me, so I’m learning to practice curiosity and acceptance. And acceptance is not to say resignation, but rather acknowledgement of my own cadence and exploration with the Father through my limited human lens. While this might feel unsettling or even frightening, I’ve taken heart that the experience doesn’t end there-with just a perpetually blurry perspective of God.

I’ve discovered that when my eyesight dims and my heart begins to lose its tether, God always delivers an invitation.

I’m reminded of the passage in John 20, when Mary Magdalene visited the tomb following Jesus’ death. When she arrived, it was still dark, but she was able to see that the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. The story notes her feelings of confusion and sadness, as she assumed that His body had been removed. I imagine in the darkness of that early hour, her heart was filled with questions and grief, as the last trace of her Lord had been taken from her.

In verse 14, we learn that Jesus joined her there, but her view was obstructed. She didn’t recognize him and continued in her distress. It wasn’t until he extended an offer of intimacy and connection in calling her by name, Mary, that she was able to see and know him.

Though I’ve read that story countless times, I always catch my breath when I see her name printed on the page. In that simple verse, the author communicates the power and grace found in the invitation. Jesus invites Mary to see him in his fullness of new life. In a moment with just the two of them present, he invites her to know this next incredible chapter of the story-that he really is the Messiah and Savior who has defeated death.

When we are living in a season of that predawn darkness, wondering why our vision of God is clouded and our heart feels distant, may we have the courage to look for the invitation. Perhaps God is calling us by name, through the warm hug of a friend, the first bloom after winter, or the quiet stirring felt in our body.

God sees you. God notices when your perception of him is waning, and through the quiet movements of the Spirit, God is there to beckon you back. When you find yourself feeling alone and confused, know that your solitude is the perfect setting for God to whisper your name and invite you into a fresh connection.

About the Author

Trusting Our Mysterious God | Intentional Mystery

Britni D'Eliso March 3, 2023

It seems that God is more mysterious than not to me these days. I am navigating a (multi-year) season of life consisting of both more permission and more exposure to big questions about faith, humanity, and my own experiences than ever before. As someone who appreciates a linear, tangible approach to most tasks and decisions, I can’t say that I’ve found this new framework particularly comfortable.

I’m finding myself slowly rebuilding a new perspective about discomfort in general, and that process lends to the discomfort of unanswered questions as well. Just because I feel a (sometimes prolonged) moment of discomfort, it does not automatically imply that something is wrong, or that my needs have been neglected, or that I need to seek a remedy. In fact, a recent Psychology Today article points to significant research that proves “people who were encouraged to embrace the discomfort they felt in (those) situations were more engaged, motivated, persistent, and more open to important information.”

So my periodic lack of clarity about who God is, where he is, or what on earth he’s doing, doesn’t correlate with him not loving me or him abandoning me and those around me.

That may sound obvious to some, but if I'm honest with myself, it’s a reality that I have to continually re-ground myself in.

The God who created us understands that feelings such as discomfort and confusion, and sometimes even pain, may actually signal to our brains that there is reason to engage further, motivating us to tune in to whatever is on the other side of our experience. In a way, maybe it triggers feelings of desire and persistence in the sense that humans so often “want what we can’t have.”

This isn’t to say that God plays games with our emotions or our biology, but that he’s aware and intentional in leaving some aspects of himself beyond our human ability to decipher. He engages our sense of longing and curiosity as he perpetuates a dynamic relationship with his children, inviting dialog, questions, and growth. Where would we really be if we reached a point of “figuring him out?”

While pressing into the discomfort may help us to funnel it into fuel to motivate our pursuit of deeper knowing, it sure can hurt. How do we reconcile when that associated pain stems from mystery shrouding reasons for suffering, or seemingly unanswered prayers?

I sure wish I had a clean cut answer for that one. My only offering is an invitation to hold these questions in the companionship of one another, and cling to what he has revealed to us. We know that he promises Goodness (Romans 8:28). We know that he has wired us to need and rely on one another (Romans 12:5). We know that despite his ways being beyond our comprehension, he created us for closeness and communion with him (James 4:8).

I’m thankful for a community of people that create space for me to navigate the mystery, especially when it’s uncomfortable. I’m thankful for a Creator who wired me with intention, knowing my limits and providing resources to ground me when my feelings may spiral. In humility and earnesty, I’d invite you to join me in my quest to embrace the awe, the confusion, the beauty and the discomfort of God’s mysterious ways. May we engage the unknown with expectancy and not fear, trusting God knows our innermost thoughts and cares deeply for our hearts and our futures.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

About the Author

Fruits of the Spirit | Goodness

Britni D'Eliso December 23, 2022

I hold to the belief that all human beings are born good. This position is known to be contentious, in light of beliefs about Original Sin and other theological ideas, but I think it’s relevant to share where I stand as we further explore the spiritual fruit of Goodness. While I believe that as we are created in the image of God and therefore enter this earth as beings of goodness and rightness, I’ll admit that it’s difficult to reconcile that when I survey the world around me and see a whole lot of bad.

Just taking one sit-down with the local newspaper (or in my case as a millennial, one scroll through various possibly credible news sources online), I’m inundated with broken systems, violence, corruption, and tragedy. Certainly there are a few feel-good stories sprinkled in, that genuinely bring about a blip of feeling that humanity has been restored, but these are sandwiched by bad news about people engaging in bad behaviors that result in bad events.

So where did all the Goodness go that brightens the world with each fresh newborn’s arrival?

I believe we invite and experience Goodness in the act of restoration.

When God worked out his masterpiece of creation, in the form of sky, sea, plants, animals, and human beings, he looked and saw that it was good. The Hebrew word used for good in this passage of Genesis is ṭôḇ (pronounced Tove) , which means “pleasant, agreeable (to the senses), rich, better, happy, kind, benign, and right.” When Goodness ruled the land, during those early days in Eden, the world was marked by beauty, intimacy, and peace. A bit of a different narrative than the current events of today.

But as Paul notes in Galatians 5, when we walk by the Spirit, and are led by the Spirit, our life is marked by the Spirit’s fruit, which includes Goodness. The Holy Spirit does a work of restoration in our lives, via a new birth, and we are re-equipped with Goodness that was always intended.

I wonder if we might consider Goodness to be defined by anything restored back to Eden. While we will not reach complete restoration within this kingdom that is partially ruled by human’s free will, we can continue to partner with the Holy Spirit in shedding light on what can be restored. As we are invited to receive and redistribute Goodness and wholeness to our world, We can pursue engagement with justice, relating to others in humility, and invite God to guide our behaviors and choices toward what he sees as Good.

Isaiah 58: 9-12
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

About the Author

Truth in Love | How Truth Heals

Britni D'Eliso November 11, 2022

I think so much of the pain, angst, and discomfort we experience as humans comes from losing sight of what’s true. When we attempt to stand, walk or run on this journey, but do so on a path that is not sewn with truth, we slip and stumble into heartache and confusion.

Anxiety about the future flares its head when our grasp of a Jehovah God is disrupted.

Self-doubt and shame is consuming when our true identity becomes blurred.

Relationships are severed when we misunderstand one another’s genuine intentions.

When the truth is obscured, we are left with a patchwork of attempts to rewrite the story that most often produces hurt and misalignment.

One of our kiddos recently approached Mike and I, to share about an incident at school where another student spoke to them unkindly. We processed through feelings of sadness, anger and hurt, until eventually reaching a point of being ready to move on. The vehicle to transition our kiddo out of their place of pain and into peace was to intentionally think about what they knew to be true about themselves. They recited different truths alongside us… “I am strong,” “I am kind,” “I am athletic,” “I am funny,” “I am loved.” While their hurt feelings were valid, the realignment with truth is what allowed them to be grounded in their identity and to experience courage and confidence as they moved throughout their day.

As we consider that centering our thoughts and experience in what is true can be an absolute source of healing and peace, what could be more loving than to speak truth over one another and over ourselves? It is out of God’s deep and abundant love for us that he showers our hearts and minds with the truth. As Aaron referenced in his previous post on “Truthing in Love,” this concept of truth is about more than the correct, spoken word. It’s about taking action and a specific way of life. Proclaiming and inviting truth into the life of another or into our own hearts is an act of affirmation and declaring that there is goodness. Speaking and living truth is a gesture of love.

Our family attended a concert last weekend that featured Cory Asbury, a favorite in our home. Shiloh and I sat closely snuggled together and basked in the love that echoed throughout the auditorium, as Cory belted out what we know to be true:

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine.
And my story isn't over, my story's just begun. And failure won't define me 'cause that's what my Father does.
You know what I need before I even ask a thing.
And You hold me in Your hands,
With a kindness that never ends.
I'm carried in Your love no matter what the future brings.

Next time you experience hardship, impossible questions, or overwhelming emotions, I invite you to pause and consider: what do you know to be true? Allow the true identity that Jesus claimed for you to envelop you with his love.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

About the Author

Salt and Light | Hidden

Britni D'Eliso September 23, 2022

CitySalt Salt Blog is a rich, deep tradition that goes back many years. Many writers have leaned in to hear God and shared their insights with you. Normally those posts are featured once for a short time in our newsletter and on our website and then seem to disappear into the mist. However a library of wisdom from our congregation and friends still exists and some of the those posts can be accessed by a search or a scroll on our website.

The following post is from our Salt and Light theme in 2019. As a reminder that we are salt and light in our city, thought we would rerun it today to give it a second wind. Enjoy!

I recently heard a pastor speak to the power of the Holy Spirit Wind, that goes before us and beckons us to join. He noted that when we are on Mission, pursuing God’s heart with an intent to bring His healing to a space of brokenness, we ought to be sensitive to the fact that Spirit’s Wind has already been where we are going. So when we arrive, bearing our offerings of service and hope, we can also be open to receiving what the Holy Spirit has already started. The people we set out to serve could very well provide healing and insights for us, birthed from the work the Holy Spirit was doing in them before we even got there.

This makes me wonder about our commission to be “salt” and “light” as we walk in this world. It seems that those callings are really about highlighting the goodness of what God is already doing. In the same way that salt can draw out the discreet flavors of a complex dish or light can reveal the treasures buried in the darkened corners, we can be instruments that God uses to pull back the veil and reveal His good works that are already at hand.

And how freeing it is, not to feel burdened with the task of creating the dish from scratch or questing for the treasure still lying at the bottom of the ocean. Rather, He graciously invites us to be part of enhancing His masterpiece, acknowledging his divine power at work, and inviting the Kingdom.

But partnering with His work in this way requires humility.

We have to be willing to set bias and tainted perspective aside—allowing ourselves to be students of the very circumstances we planned to remedy. It requires us to see those in need of help as our peers rather than our projects. We are invited to consider that the “mission field” that we are called to shine our light on (Matthew 5:16) is more than likely a field filled with treasured people whom God wants to use to challenge and grow our faith, as he simultaneously uses us to be his hands and feet of love.

Forgive me for quoting Bono in this context, but he speaks beautifully to the existence of God in the unlikely places:

“God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.”

God is infinitely wise in creating human beings to need one another, in a beautiful way that reflects how we need Him. We must only be willing to see the way we need others and be open to His revelation of hidden flavors and treasures that He is working to uncover.

Romans 12:3-13
For by the grace given me I say to everyone one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

About the Author

Ephesians 4 | Bond of Peace

Britni D'Eliso July 15, 2022

Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Throughout the past 2+ years, I’ve been grieved by many things. We’ve experienced a unique set of losses in navigating a global pandemic, and I’ve been acutely aware of various ways that loss has hurt my heart, quenched my energy and diminished my ambition. But I believe one of the greatest causes of the grief I’ve carried is the division and discord within the Church.

As an Enneagram Type 9, I am a pursuer of peace at my core. For me, this means easily seeing all sides of every story; adapting my preferences, interests and temperament to whoever I’m around; craving quiet spaces of rest (with tea and sweatpants!); working to resolve conflict as quickly as possible and doing everything in my power to ensure I’m not the one causing it; and really loving sleep (the most peaceful activity of my day!).

This means that when I have a front row seat to conflict, I tend to be incredibly uncomfortable and my energy gets zapped quickly. When it involves people I love, I am inevitably heartbroken. Not only is my own equilibrium disturbed, but my loved ones are being deprived of this gift that I hold in such high esteem: peace.

So while the Christian Church has gradually imploded over the past few years over politics, power, fear, misinformation, and misalignment, it has weighed so very heavy on my heart. The space and community where one might expect the best hope for a unified experience and safety from the outside trauma, was actually becoming a place with much of the most heated discord. And Jesus showed me that His heart has been broken too.

Navigating this grief has left me with little hope and momentum to pursue the unity and peace that Scripture has promised us. In fact, it’s caused me to question how much the potential of peace within the walls of the Church was even still within reach. And these questions and pains have been seriously destabilizing as so much of my foundation has relied on a state of experiencing and promoting peace! How could I walk in this journey of faith without this cornerstone?

But this passage of Ephesians highlighted a new and refreshed perspective for me: a bond of peace. A commentary helped further illuminate this choice of words and what Paul may have been articulating:

The means of maintaining and demonstrating the unity of the Spirit is through peace, which has a bonding effect… Earlier Christ has been depicted as the personification of peace who brought reconciliation with God and reconciliation between Jew and Gentile, but now believers are to be agents of peace and reconciliation within the community in order to preserve its unity.

Andrew Lincoln, Word Biblical Commentary

Essentially, peace isn’t a state of mind or being to pursue and strive to maintain, but rather it is the actual mechanism for achieving unity! This perspective empowers Jesus-followers to take action and identifies a method to access and maintain the unity offered through the Spirit. When you and I are looking for opportunities to reconcile, we are prompted to make generous assumptions, extend compassion and act out of love rather than fear. We develop a bond that hinges on our shared humanness and interest in protecting rather than harming one another; a bond of peace.

And with access to this bonding experience, we find alignment, togetherness, unity.

In the mainstream world, a beautiful picture of the act of pursuing peace is found in a practice called Restorative Justice. This model exists within the Criminal Justice System, and involves individuals who have committed a crime pursuing a reparative relationship with the victim of the crime, within a highly structured and intentional setting. Healing and growth is pursued through human connection, as those involved practice the three core tenants: Encountering, Repairing, and Transforming. Eventual unity can be reached through a bond built by reconciliation and peace.

I’m so thankful to know and be known by a God who is about restoration and relationship. He works alongside us in the practice of peace and provided his son to establish our path to unity.

Ephesians 2:14-18
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

About the Author

Unity | A Different Kind of Body

Britni D'Eliso March 11, 2022

As parents of a five and eight year old, we are in a season of fielding a constant barrage of questions. While we are grateful to have graduated from the mind-numbing series of “but why?” posed by our kids when they were in their toddler years, the questions brought to the table now are a different sort of difficult. Our kids are of the ages where they have begun to notice where their little world may end, and that there are diverse, interesting, and sometimes strange things that lay beyond it. Stories on the radio, conversations at school, and sites seen out of the car window pose inquiries that can quickly get complicated.

“Why do some people not have homes?”

“Why are men paid more than women?”

“Why is that person talking to herself?”

“Why does this boy act differently in my classroom?”

Mike and I are aligned in our parenting approach, with the goal of being transparent yet gentle with our children–providing intentional responses to their questions, even when sometimes that means us just responding with more questions. But geez, it sure is tempting to just reply with a “you’ll understand it when you’re older” and move on with our day of snack time, Legos and basketball practice.

The conversations prompted by our curious kiddos’ minds can often grow into beautiful opportunities for learning and refinement, for all four of us. Mike and I are challenged to look honestly at what we believe and why and to understand how to invite our children to weigh-in with their own perspectives, feeling their fresh eyes and honest opinions often shifting our angle a bit.

In reflecting on how the Church may engage with the complex discussion of embracing unity within an era of such division, it struck me that the ways we try to ground our responses to our childrens’ tough questions might also provide some strategy for how we can respond as adults:

Practice curiosity. Take time to be curious about ourselves and our own responses to the thing in front of us that seems different. Consider the other humans involved and be curious about their life experience and wisdom. They likely have something to teach us. When we notice that woman using a wheelchair, we wonder what she has learned about the world while viewing it from a seated position, and consider what we might be able to gain from hearing and honoring her perspective.
Acknowledge resiliency. When we witness a divergent point of view or a scenario that doesn’t seem black and white, look for where strength and growth has developed. When we experience a person or peoples’ story that’s different from ours, where can we recognize the resilience that has enabled them to navigate hardships and withstand suffering? A life that is different from ours isn’t one to be pitied or looked down on, rather it can paint another picture of how God has wired humankind to be resilient and available for redemption. When we notice that a brown-skinned man wasn’t selected for the job that he appeared to be well-qualified for, we don’t respond with pity or shame. Rather, we position ourselves to learn about his experience, we acknowledge his strength and resiliency, and we follow his lead for how we can partner in correcting the culture and system we live within.
Celebrate diversity. Upon noticing our curiosity and exploring the questions posed by our kids or ourselves, we celebrate the richness and breadth of God’s created beings. While we commit to learn and be a part of repairing, we enjoy the beautiful mosaic that humankind is. And it’s the contrasting experiences, perspectives, skills, opinions and appearances that hone our own colors and contribution to this work of art. When we encounter someone with political and social views that differ from our own, we can take the opportunity to understand how their ideas might contrast our own in a way that prompts self-reflection and conviction.

Paul’s words to the Corinthians that compare the Church to the body of Christ are often used when thinking about the concept of unity. It’s a useful and poignant illustration to consider how we all work together as unique body parts to join the same work, of the body of Christ. I’m challenged to read this passage in a different way, convicted by this guidance I find myself providing to my children. While I’ve traditionally understood each body part to be in reference to the various “gifts” and skills that Jesus-followers might contribute to the greater Work, I wonder if we might view each part as a diverse expression of humanity. What would the Body of Christ be capable of, if one arm was composed of those with a low socio-economic standing, one toe was individuals raised in a conservative, mid-western culture of the United States, an elbow made up of indigenous tribes, and the neck was those who have overcome generational trauma? Or more simply put, what if each body part was represented by a different race or ethnicity? Is it still possible to understand ourselves as one part of a unified body?

Paul encourages us to find each part as necessary, with extra care given to the parts regarded as “less honorable” and all seen as unified by the same Spirit. May we live in pursuit of this picture as we walk forward in curiosity, resilience, and diversity.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27 NLT
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

About the Author

Rhema | Listening With More Than Our Ears

Britni D'Eliso December 10, 2021

I’ve been hearing God through my body lately.

As someone in my 30’s who has been living in and around the American Christian context for my entire life, I’m beginning to recognize that there are times when my preconceived notions muddy the water in my brain as I learn to know and be known by God. While I partner with the Spirit to keep working that out, I’ve delightfully discovered that I’m still able to hear him with clarity and depth when I recognize what he speaks to and through my body. Through movement, emotion and physical engagement with my environment, I can sense His Spirit maneuvering past my mind, past my questions and reservations.

When I consider the meaning of Rhema, applied to how our Living God speaks, I think of His fresh and creative ways of whispering to our innermost parts. And while his approach is gentle and timely, I still find that it takes effort and intentionality to listen. I still tend to look for his revelations in the more obvious places, waiting for him to speak in logical terms that fit my boxed-in perceptions of who he is, how he abides, and when he acts.

But there has been such beauty and freedom in giving my mind permission to tune out, to invite a Spirit-body connection. Hearing my body say “I’m hungry,” “I’m tired,” or “I need movement,” reminds me of his design for our beings to function best when we are well-nourished, well-rested, and active.

Noticing my body holding tension, weight felt in my chest, or stirring felt in my gut, I press in to recognize God’s intention for our bodies to reflect the deeper needs of our heart and mind. These sensations are a gift from him, and are how he wired us to protect ourselves and consider our relational connections.

Feeling his Spirit directly engaging with my body, through a felt sense of calm and peace; an intensity of joy pumping through my veins; or a deep burning to prompt action; speaks of His Spirit’s ability to truly be within me and work through me.

While God partners with my mind to invite discernment and to absorb his teaching, what a joy it’s been to intentionally discover how he relates to my body. He’s designed us as whole and complete beings, with our thoughts and our words being just as much us, as our skin, our lungs, and our limbs. And I’m learning how earnestly he wants to communicate with every part of us.

I’ve meditated on David’s words in Psalm 139 time and time again, reflecting on just how intentionally and deliberately God created me. All of me. And he’s longing to connect with me in every sort of way--seeking intimacy with me, mind, body and spirit.

He longs for you in this way too. I invite you to consider “listening” to where God may be reaching for you in new and different ways. His creativity is limitless and he knows exactly where and how you need to hear him the most.

Psalm 139:13-18
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

About the Author

CitySalt Church

Celebrate Goodness