Communion
She wrapped her right thumb and pointer finger around the tiny, clear communion cup and cradled her left hand around it all. She stared into the dark grape juice.
The music played softly in the background while the ushers served communion to the congregation.
She could see the light of the sanctuary reflecting in the liquid circle in her hand. Her breaths were shallow while she tried to quiet her heart and soul. She thought of the disciples and wondered what they must have thought when Jesus handed them a cup of wine to pass and when He spoke of things they couldn’t quite comprehend yet.
While she looked down into the cup, she noticed consistent vibrations in the juice. Had she moved and caused the liquid to be stirred? Could the music have caused resonance?
She placed the cup on her Bible on the seat next to her. Nothing. The liquid didn’t move. She picked it back up. With the cup securely in her hand, her thumb pressing around it and her other hand steadily holding on to hand and cup, the liquid rhythmically pulsated once more.
In an instant it became clear to her. It was her own pulse from her thumb pushing through the cup into the dark, red liquid. No doubt, she saw her own heartbeat pulsating in the communion cup.
Before she lifted the cup to drink it, she silently thanked God for making a way for her to see it. She thanked Him for allowing her a small glimpse into this mystery that allowed her own heart to hide in His, to see herself as a part of this covenant that God made with His people. In that moment, when she saw part of herself in the cup, she knew again how much she was loved.
“God, I am forever grateful to You that my heart can beat for You.
You made a way for me through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Thank You!”
…And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying,
“This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Luke 22:20
That I’m in you and you in me
This is a profound mystery.
You died my death – your blood you shed.
I made alive while you were dead.
How can a mind like mine conceive
Why thrones and kingdoms you would leave
To make a wayward heart like mine
A temple and a holy shrine?
~
(Poetry and Essay by Heidi Viars, 2019)
Heidi, this was beautiful… As I read, I imagined taking communion, and felt as though I was there, seeing my heartbeat entwined with His. Hallelujah. 🙂
Hello Cheryl, so grateful that it spoke to you … and that you came by… Blessings 🙂
Lovely. ❤
Lovely God. 🙂
“In an instant it became clear to her. It was her own pulse from her thumb pushing through the cup into the dark, red liquid. No doubt, she saw her own heartbeat pulsating in the communion cup.”
The first and most important revelation. Beautiful post and poem, Heidi.
Thank you, Bill, for stopping in! It was an important revelation to me … again 🙂 Sending hugs your way, brother!
Fabulous. It really caused me to stop and reflect on the sustainer of life!
It did me, too 🙂 He is indeed our Sustainer!
I love this!! While reading this I was thinking my heart is beating because of Jesus! What a wonderful picture to see that when we are holding on to Jesus’ life blood, only then are we truely alive!!
Amen, my friend! I am so grateful to be in this Body of Christ with you!!! Stay warm!
Heidi, you never cease to amaze me. You see things most of us never notice. And then your responsive heart and creative mind turn those unique observations into revelations of incredible insight and beauty. Thank you for sharing your gift with us! And praise God our hearts are hidden in His, through the blood of His Son, Jesus!
Yes, praise God we are hidden in Him.
Your comment reminds me of 2 Corinthians 4:18
“as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
🙂
So special, dear Heidi. Thank you for reminding us just how close He is to us and how much we are loved!
… as close as our heartbeat, Debbie 🙂
Beautiful and sacred, it moved me to tears. So much truth here. Thank you for this blessing and yes I give all the glory to our holy God above……..
Yes, all glory to God 🙂 Blessings to you!
How precious are such a few moments in His divine presence ~ spiritually with us at His Supper as we remember His death until He comes to bring us to the Feast. Blessings Heidi, for your week. 🙂
Just imagine, Fran, one day we will be with Him at that feast! If these small glimpses are bringing us such joy, how much more when we see Him (and each other) there.
Wow! Such a lovely expansion of the concept of checking ones pulse. Thank you, Heidi! ❤️
Checking our pulse and finding ourselves alive … In HIM 🙂
Thank you, dearest Kathie, for stopping in for a visit!
Wow! This is so beautiful my friend! I live every bit of revelation God gave you during those moments!
Sent from my iPod
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I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing us to continue to understand Him better together, dear Friend 🙂
Absolutely beautiful Heidi ❤
I appreciate you reading it, dear Liana. He is a beautiful God 🙂