From The Interim Pastor:
What is this Life for?|
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From The Interim Pastor: What is this Life for? |
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As the vine maples redden and night nibbles more minutes away from morning and evening hours, I find myself desperate to suck the last of the barbecue sauce away from the bones of summer. I have spent far too few hours in a kayak or hammock and, although the summer has had some moments of high fun, it's had many hours of sitting in vigil with community members that have suffered more loss than seems fair. Those hours in vigil, prayer and waiting have been very rich with the presence of the Holy Spirit and they are also good reminders that every hour of this wild and precious life demands mindful attention to the question, "What is this life for?" The catechism answer to the question, "What
is this life for?" replies, "Life is for the glorification of God."
That's a very big idea that made little sense to me as a child, and
perhaps makes less sense as an adult. But it seems to me that this life
is really about spreading as much joy and justice around as we possibly
can given the gifts and circumstances we have at our disposal. Sometimes
that means getting really loud and upset over injustices including war,
lack of health care or health insurance, poverty, homelessness,
violence, pollution and other insults to body and soul. Other times,
living fully means becoming very quiet and gentle in the face of pain,
doubt or confusion. Sometimes singing, dancing, baking, gardening,
planning, writing, all these actions and more have their place in
glorifying the God who sings, dances, bakes, gardens, plans and writes
right alongside us as we glory in each other, created and Creator,
entwined and enhanced by each other. Soon and very soon, our calendars will begin to
fill with classes and meetings, rehearsals and practices. We will be
faced with the temptation to over-schedule ourselves so tightly that our
meals all come from containers and the only quality time with our
families will take place on the way to or from other events. Before the
calendar gets too crazy, before the new team uniforms or play costumes
or extra cell phone minutes are bought, I invite all of us to pause,
take a breath and ask the question, "Is all this activity what my life
is for? Are these activities supporting the balanced, whole person I
want to be in the world? Given my gifts and circumstances, is this
schedule the one that best 'glorifies God' whatever that means to me?" Ask yourself too, if your schedule is one that
will allow you to sit in kayaks, or lie on hammocks, or spend time with
friends who are grieving or celebrating the sorrows or sweetness of
life. Those are the days that will be remembered and cherished through
the seasons to come. Amen. Rev. Jennifer Yocum |