Hiking a woodland trail, waking up to the sound of waves at a beach cottage, sailing on a pristine lake or paddling around snow- and ice-laden fjords. These are just a few experiences which joy-wash us with their surge of contentment and peace. They call our souls up and out of a place of dis-integration and back to their fuller, original, integration. And this rediscovery of soul integration is, I think, one of life’s topmost celebrations. It’s one to savor. It deserves its own scrapbook. And yet the cares of this world consistently draw the curtains, blocking the way ‘back home.’
Another word for integration is harmony. It’s how we were designed by a loving, Creator God. He lives in pure, uninterrupted harmony with Himself, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We call that sweetest of relationships the Trinity, a community of total joy, pleasure, happiness. When God made us ‘in His image,’ He did so, mirroring that community in us. So, we were created fully harmonized, fully integrated, 100% at home with ourselves and with Him. Adam’s sin was shattering, dis-integrating, thus rendering us vulnerable to a whole swampload of brokennesses.
A further word for integration, and its vital importance, is oneness. Deuteronomy’s declaration to God’s people is this: “Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” 6:4, NIV. Continuing with Jesus’ prayer: “ . . . 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 will 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.” John 17:20- 22, NIV.
The Deuteronomy passage continues with ‘integrated’ language. “Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” 6:5, NIV. The ‘all’ means all, with no loose ends, no stray strings, no other attachments to distract from the ‘all.’ (lure us away from our God-designed integration). Throughout Scripture it is made evident that we are to be attentive to all splintering, weakening, tarnishing of our worshipful, intimate relationship with God. Paying attention to what we’re paying attention to is a crucial first step in our return. The astonishing discovery in that step is the opening of our eyes to see our Prodigal God running toward us, arms outstretched, calling our name, and calling for the feast to be prepared. There’s no place like home! PD
