It is in uncertain times that we often turn towards the spiritual. This spiritual turn is not unexpected because we are trying to deal with turbulence in our lives and / or in our community's life. The turbulence brings out our uncertainties and we need somewhere to go so as to bring about a calmer place. In this case we turn to the one place we cannot fathom which is the spiritual. Christ attempts to bring this about by moving away from the crowds to try and a) prevent his own burn out and b) to try and get the disciples to re-connect for themselves (Mk. 6:31-34). However, doing so is never easy and it is only after more ministry does Christ manage to move away from the crowds. Yet, we must also try and manage ourselves in a similar manner of escape and renewal. It is out of the hecticity of modern life that we can manage to find some peace and renew ourselves when we begin to interact with that which is spiritual.
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians reminds us all that at one time or another we were not who we are today as Christians. We have all taken that plunge into the waters of uncertainty to become who we are today as Christians relying on the presence of Christ in our lives to change them. Yet, we are still overwhelmed by the hecticity of today especially with regards the continuing changing conditions around COIVD. In allowing ourselves to be challenged by modern life without recourse to our other resources reveals our lack and our inability to connect. We simply allow those with louder voices to prevail in our lives. Just take the current events in NSW as an example. It is not that those in leadership positions have no knowledge or are not aware of the extent of the virus problem. The simple fact is that those in leadership position are listening to the loud panicky voices of economic giants who do not wish to curtail their ability to enrich themselves. Those in leadership sometimes need to take a step back, just as Christ was attempting to do. In doing so we divorce ourselves from the clamour of every persons needs and are able to see the preferred way in Christ.
By stepping back we put to the side that nature which listens with greed to the loudest voice. This is the nature that comes before our acceptance of Christ. In accepting Christ we begin to listen to those in true need and cater for the other rather than for our benefit. Whilst Christ was unable to withdraw he was still able to answer to the true needs of the other and sometimes we too must struggle in the midst of chaos and hecticity to ensure that the needs of the other are seen to before our own. This type of tension is seen in the reading from the second book of Samuel that tells of David's dreams and the response from God (2 Sam 7:1-14). David wants to charge ahead, as far as he is concerned there is no need to take a step back, but rather he must honour God and build a temple. However, while Nathan starts of by saying "yeah go ahead and do whatever you want" God intervenes and clearly states that it is better to set aside these dreams and consolidate what you have. David was for going all out but has to be hauled back into the present to shepherd the flock that was Israel.
Whilst we may look to the fulfilment of our dreams and our wishes in life there are times when we must actually step back and take a break from what we do. Not to discard the empty dreams but rather to fulfil them in the long term. Again the COVID situation comes to mind here. We need to put a break and our wants, our needs and gain from taking a step back. In this case the step back is to put a hold on our life and say yes I can isolate for a few days and so for the benefit of the whole and for my own long term dreams I am able to reset. I can acknowledge that sometimes I and my community must slow down but that does not mean that we stop dreaming. Rather this is a time for us to dream once more so that when we are back in a normalised society and community we can bring the gifts of God to those who are in need in a bigger way than before. So that we can follow Christ and show God's light to the world and not burn ourselves out in attempting the impossible. We need to rely on God and our spiritual sense to keep us in the way of Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment