Union in the Midst of the Storm

Sacred space, for five sacred minutes. 

This is a rallying call for sacred space, for five sacred minutes.

We’ve been talking about increasing chaos in the world for some time now, both in a political/cultural expression, but even more so in the unseen realm. We’ve known the enemy was releasing chaos, but holy smokes—this spring, the explicit chaos just can’t be denied anymore. Even secular pundits and analysts are using the word “chaos” every day.

(Who knows what will transpire by the time you actually receive this letter?)

And have you noticed how you are responding? How you are reacting?

You need to be a good student of yourself, gently but honestly aware of your vulnerabilities and where you go when things feel chaotic, uncertain, upsetting.

Most of us are spending more time caught up in our technology. Online, trying to figure things out. Trying to stay on top of the news or the developments in our finances or what have you. Because we are Disciples of the Internet, and we have been tutored for decades that safety and security are found in information—knowing the right things.

Surely you have seen this tendency, if not in yourself then in those around you.

Just the other night, it was nearing time for our bedtime prayers, but I was locked online, searching the news, trying to figure out what’s going on. And not just tariffs and recession, but watching what’s taking place in Myanmar and the Congo and deportations and all of it. Jesus spoke. Pull out, John. Get off. Do you really think that having what you feel is the right information is giving you any more control over things?

I was so exposed. Because that’s exactly what I thought. More knowledge, the right information—that’s what helps us secure things. It is utterly godless and untrue. Friends, it is very close to the reach once again for the tree of knowledge.

In chaotic and uncertain times, it will not feel natural, but we must turn more deeply into our union with Jesus. And that is why I am calling for sacred space and five sacred minutes. What do I mean?

As Disciples of the Internet, most of us take a very left-brain approach to our spiritual life. If we get some space, what we would call “time with God,” it’s typically filled with content and information. A good podcast. Study. Perhaps a new curriculum. And these things do help. But they are not the same as union and communion with Jesus.

Union and communion are what we need more than anything else. (By “communion,” I don’t mean the sacraments, though that is a good idea; I mean deep-calls-unto-deep intimacy as we draw near to Jesus and let him draw near to us.)

In the five sacred minutes you are going to find and protect every day, what I’m urging you to do is simply love Jesus and pray for union. Turn your heart toward him and give him your attention. Love him. And let your life-giving union be restored. Practice the presence of God. This is your sacred space. And it is the epicenter of the life of the saints down through the ages.

You enter in like this:

I love you, Jesus.
I love you, Lord.
I am here to be with you.
Holy Spirit, help me tune in.
I pray for union.
I pray for oneness.
Commune with me, Lord Jesus.
I love you…

You just keep lingering in that posture, as you love Jesus and he loves you. It sounds so basic, but I don't know many people who practice it…except every saint you know about from ages past.

It’s also the only thing that will see you through upsetting times. Not information. Not scrambling. Union and communion, which can only be found when you create sacred space. And protect it. Every day.

Five minutes is sustainable. Five minutes is something we all can do.

And the lovely thing about five sacred minutes is that one day you look up and realize, Wow––it’s been ten minutes! And a week later, you come out of union and communion and realize it’s been twenty minutes as your soul gets used to the practice and as you find the nourishment so wonderful that time slips happily by.

We are releasing a new program on the Pause app to help you with this: Experiencing Jesus. (We have an app called Pause or the One Minute Pause: www.pauseapp.com. It’s a lovely collection of guided moments of prayer and release and beautiful music and imagery.) It’s a love offering to you to help you enter into a deeper life with Jesus (and your Father and Holy Spirit). It should be live by the time you read this; if not, it's days away. And it's gorgeous.

Five minutes of sacred space. Union and communion.

You can do this.

Download the Wild at Heart April 2025 newsletter here.