Hi folks, i hope you are well, this week we meet again at the Crescent Club at 7.30, it would be great to see you if you are able. This weeks reflection from Liturgy of the Ordinary looks at ‘Sitting in Traffic’ and is written by Pauline.
I reckon I don’t need to say anything about the title of this chapter as most of us if not all will have experienced being stuck in traffic, the helplessness, the impatience, the irritation and frustration. The suggestion is that most of us consciously or unconsciously feel that we are the ones who should be the controllers of our time!
We know that a lot of life is about waiting, for crops to grow, babies to be born etc but most of us have to try and manage our time and for many time is something they feel they never have enough of.
The author says “ For the good of my own soul I need to feel what it’s like to wait, to let the moments march past. And here I am, plunged into an ancient spiritual practice in the middle of the freeway…… forced against my will to practice waiting.”
The following are a few points to think about,
We are told that Christians are people who wait. We live in the already and not yet, we believe Christ has come , and he will come again. We dwell in the meantime. We wait.
In the church calendar we learn the rhythm of life through the narrative, we retell the story of Jesus each year and we seek to live the story each week and much of it is about waiting and how we wait. We look forward in hope to our rest day and to the time in the future when God will finish the story, his recreation.
Time is a stream we are swept into, a gift from God, a means of worship. The Christian faith reminds us of the reality, time is not a commodity that I control, manage or consume.
The practice of liturgical time teaches me day by day that time is not mine. It does not revolve round me. Time revolves round God…… what God has done, what God is doing, and what God will do.
Questions:
- What in your experience has been the worst traffic jam you have sat in?
- What is waiting like for you…… what do you feel as you wait?
- Do you agree that Christians are people who wait? The author states, “ Christians are marked not only by patience, but also by longing. We are oriented to our future hope, yet we do not try to escape from our present reality.” how does orientation to the future impact how you think about work, life and relationships in an ordinary day?
- The author tells a story about her friend Jan who says that there are gifts in waiting. What if any gifts have you received in the process of waiting? How have you grown?
- Have you ever practiced the liturgical year? If so do you think it played any part in shaping you, your view of time or your days?
- What relationship do you see between waiting, hope and celebration? How have you seen these related in your own life?
Suggested practices:
- Notice your reaction to times when you are forced to wait this week. Reflect on what your response reveals about your view of time.
- Next time you are waiting ( whether in line, waiting for an appointment, in traffic etc.,) try to limit distractions. Put away your smartphone and any work while waiting. Just simply wait. Notice your thoughts, emotions and surroundings.
Peace, Pauline
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.