Labyrinth Walking: Integrative Journeys for Renewal
If
you could see / the journey whole / you might never / undertake it; /
might never dare
the first step / that propels you / from the place / you have known /toward the place
you know not.
the first step / that propels you / from the place / you have known /toward the place
you know not.
Call
it / one of the mercies / of the road: / that we see it / only by
stages
as it opens / before us, / as it comes into / our keeping / step by / single step.
as it opens / before us, / as it comes into / our keeping / step by / single step.
There
is nothing / for it / but to go / and by our going / take the vows /
the pilgrim takes:
to
be faithful to / the next step; / to rely on more / than the map; /
to heed the signposts
of intuition and dream; / to follow the star / that only you / will recognize;
of intuition and dream; / to follow the star / that only you / will recognize;
to
keep an open eye / for the wonders that / attend the path; / to press
on / beyond distractions / beyond fatigue / beyond what would / tempt
you / from the way.
There
are vows / that only you / will know; / the secret promises / for
your particular path/and the new ones / you will need to make / when
the road / is revealed / by turns
you could not / have foreseen.
you could not / have foreseen.
Keep
them, break them, / make them again: / each promise becomes / part of
the path; / each choice creates / the road / that will take you/to
the place / where at last / you will kneel
to
offer the gift / most needed - / the gift that only you / can give -
/ before turning to go / home by / another way.
—“For
Those Who Have Far to Travel” by Jan Richardson
I
have served in ordained ministry for over 19 years, and for the past
14+ years, I have balanced a combination of pastoral ministry and
seminary teaching. I am a pastor, seminary professor, licensed
massage therapist, mother to a seven-year-old, partner to another
ordained minister who serves a separate congregation, poet, and
theological writer; and I am thoroughly committed to each of these
roles. Yet, I have never had a sabbatical set aside for rest,
renewal, reflection, and writing. My body is tired yet needs physical
activity, and I long for concentrated time to write and refresh my
imagination. As I move deeper into my career of integrating pastoral
ministry and theological education, I recognize more clearly that
this kind of renewal time is essential to remain focused, creative,
healthy, and centered. This was the rationale I presented in April
as part of our application for a Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal
Grant.
When
I opened the envelope and saw that we had been awarded the grant, I
was shocked and overwhelmed and bewildered. Was this real? I
struggled to believe it. Yet earlier in that same afternoon, I had
met with someone and told him to accept the kindness and gifts he had
been given—even though he was struggling with self-doubt and did
not believe he deserved such goodness. I assured him he did deserve
such goodness. But now, it was my turn. . . .
Sometimes,
we struggle to receive gifts of affirmation and love. Even when we
desperately need them. And that is the challenge I am confronting
right now. It is a beautiful and blessed challenge.
The
theme of our Lilly proposal, “Labyrinth Walking: Integrative
Journeys for Renewal,” represents my active, mindful, and
intentional pursuit of professional integration and personal renewal.
I hope that it will help me—and help me help others—navigate both
interior and exterior challenges and to garner inner resources that
will enable social action. I long for greater integration—in
myself and in our faith community—between presence and courage,
head and heart, reason and faith, experience and intellect, prayer
and social action. And I believe labyrinth walking can teach us ways
to balance personal devotion with concern for all God’s children
and God’s world. This is my hope, anyway. And I am grateful to be
with you on this journey.
See
you in church,
Christy
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