Interview with Desmond Tutu

Renee Montagne of NPR's Morning Edition interviewed Archbishop Desmond Tutu this morning, and I caught the interview on my way in to work. When asked if he found his relationship to God changed as he's grown older, I thought his reflection on that question quite profound. He said, "Yes. I am learning to shut up more in the presence of God (laughter)". Then he went on and admitted that he still sometimes approaches God with, "a kind of shopping list that you bring to God". The lesson at church last Sunday spoke about that - how we tend to ask God, "what's in it for me?" instead of, "God, what do You want me to do for You today?" especially in our prayer life. We come before God asking for healing, for wisdom on what to do about this and that purchase, where to go for vacation, so on and so forth. I don't think that's necessarily wrong, but is that all there is to this infinitely mighty and capable God - a heavenly Santa? Do we get on our knees and assume we must always start talking to God and dole out one request after another?

The Archbishop then continued, "But more and more, I think you are trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there in front of the fire, and you don't have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you".

How often do we just sit, be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10)? Just be a part and experience God's presence? Do we want to be a Martha, busying herself with all kinds of preparation, or be a Mary, sitting at His feet (Luke 10:38 - 42)? What would Jesus rather have you do?