In all of my 18 years of preaching I have never been at this point in the week with no sermon on paper with less than 24 hours before my sermonizing responsibilities are required. Then when I try to think on the sermon, my mind wonders into a variety of places.
Yes, I've read the texts and the commentaries... and have ruminated on those contents--even as we drove our Swiss friend, Esti, to the airport Thursday morning (my usual day to write the sermon). Then I had opportunity to make a home visit later that afternoon that turned to the question, "If I die before August 31st will you do my funeral?" Then on to a hospital visit after supper that same evening--a visit that turned into a reflection of 80+ years of a good life... with a good wife... the farm... the horses... the crops and cattle... property in town... [I love those kinds of visits...]
The earlier part of my week also included final preparation for a wedding today at 5:30 p.m., Terrific Tuesday on Tuesday with a handful of elementary children, a trip with Thomas and Esti on Monday to Precious Moments Chapel, and an excursion to Fantastic Cavern on Wednesday afternoon. [Both of those days were 1/2 days off since I was scheduled for a wedding and rehearsal on Friday and Saturday.]
Now I know why the sermon is still in my head and not on the paper!
Yesterday afternoon we also had a good showing of our house and property [or should I use the word 'home'?]. That left me with the sad/happy feeling--much like the sad/happy feeling you have when a house guest leaves... Just realize we did that, too, this week! On Thursday, to be exact! [No wonder I feel emotionally numb... with no sermon in my folder!]Selling property you love reminds me of the feeling you have as your daughters are preparing for marriage. You just hope someone has come along that loves them/it as much as you do and will encourage their/its well-being as you have through the years. [As this thought surfaced this morning, I went off on a rabbit trail, wondering why I didn't associate this same feeling with the marriage preparation of our son... but that is another reflection for another blog on another day.]
All of these thoughts seem to come together as I read a short article in Christian Century this morning; May 17, 2011, issue, article entitled 'In praise of imbalance' by Martin B. Copenhaver. [I wanted to link to this article, even called my daughter for how-to instructions, but still can't seem to figure it all out.] Any way the writer's conclusion was in favor of rhythm instead of balance. That spoke to my heart.
Copenhaver, speaking of his happiest times of life (like child rearing or a precious project), said they were probably some of his most unbalanced times. But during those time, he writes,
"...I ...brought singular focus to the task at hand [so] that everything else seemed to fall by the wayside. I willingly go with less sleep and sometimes even have to remind myself to eat."To borrow a paragraph from the article:
"The Bible does not extol balance as a virtue. Instead, the Bible commends a way of life that is more about rhythm than it is about balance. There is the rhythm of the week, six days of work and one day of rest, set within larger rhythms of the ...year. Jesus spent time in intense engagement with the people around him in rhythm with the time alone or with close friends. Then there is the basic spiritual rhythm of breathing in and breathing out."He continues on to say:
"In the holy rhythms of life, there really is a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to focus on the task at hand as if nothing else in the world matters and a time to leave that task as if it didn't matter at all; a time to work, even to the point of exhaustion, and a time to rest; a time to be fully engaged and a time to be fully disengaged; a time to breathe out and a time to breathe in; a time to be out of balance in one direction and a time to be out of balance in the other direction."He concludes with a beautiful image.
"Balance or rhythm: Standing on one foot or dancing? Which one sounds more life-giving?"Right now I'm dancing... I just hope it is not the last dance.
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I don't know, Barbara. I often hope my last dance is near. Sometimes I get tired of dancing, especially when my "dance" is more of a "shuffle!"
ReplyDeleteI hope we can 'shuffle' together a while longer, if even at a distance.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know. But sometimes I really feel like what's the point. But I'm okay. I'll get back on track soon, surely!
ReplyDeleteI am a Libra (scales of balance) with A-fib (Atrial fibrillation). It is the most common cardiac arrhythmia--abnormal heart rhythm-- often with a rapid heartbeat. When the eyes of those attempting to take my pulse grow wide--I tell them my heart is just dancing to a different drummer. This expression comes from Henry David Thoreau's quote about marching to the beat of a different drum." If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." It means to do your own thing no matter what everyone else is doing.
ReplyDeleteBe an individual.