God asks us to ‘breathe,’ see the needs of others
“Surely God was in this place and I did not know it.” — Genesis 28:16
Contemplative practices teach us to pay attention to the in-between places — the spaces between our breathing out and breathing in — the rests on the sheet music — stillness after the rain — reflection after life events.
I recently attended a Spiritual Direction International Conference, the theme of which was “Borders.” Borders can be in-between places. They protect us from the unknown both within ourselves and outside of ourselves.
The conference and subsequent experiences cause me to ponder again the meaning of the scripture “ ... where two or three are gathered ... .” found in Matthew 18:20 — God in the gathering places and spaces of our lives.
Theologian Frederick Buechner wrote: “The place where God calls you is the place where your deep joy meets the deep suffering of the world.” When we construct borders, (concrete external barriers or internal barriers of anger or indifference) it seems to me there is no room for gathering space. I guess we protect ourselves from the joy of being in a relationship with others and miss out on the experience of God in our midst.
I wonder about the inner joy the Good Samaritan experienced in crossing the road to respond, bandage and care for the wounded stranger. What joy filled the hearts of the caregiver and the care receiver at their reunion?
It seems to me the world is suffering and in need of some serious wound care. It is interesting to note, it was the “foreigner” who cared for the wounded one in the story.
The SDI Conference I attended brought in a cross-section of people from very different backgrounds of race, religion, color and ethnicity who struggle to live on the borders of society in San Diego. It was shocking to hear their stories. In particular, it was a wake-up call for me to realize that my indifference and my judgments add to their struggles.
I felt convicted.
On this same trip, I got to experience a delightful day with my niece and grand-niece exploring some of the highlights of the city. The fun we experienced together bridged our generation gap and the years we had not seen one another.
Later, I joined my husband and we tended to the needs of his mother — a close-up experience of what to expect if and when we live to be 94!
A question hovers in my heart — how am I to live the in-between years between now and then?
The place where God calls us that Frederick Buechner refers to could also be the place of awareness between waking up and responding to the needs around me.
My heart’s desire is to catch myself in the act of indifference and be still enough to hear God’s call in those unknown, scary, exciting in-between places of life.
May it be so.
Cathy Rhoads is a spiritual director, chaplain and co-founder of Spirithaven Hospitality Retreat Center, attending Christ the King Church in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 333 W. Canal Drive, Kennewick, WA 99336. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "God asks us to ‘breathe,’ see the needs of others."