19 September 2015
Los Arcos
C.A.D
Today was a delightful day’s walk. It had a nasty 200m climb first thing in the
morning and a steep descent right afterward.
Just when I was feeling really good about the walk, a second injury
occurred. I have been nursing a crabby left knee and picked up an elastic
sleeve for it. It was during a long step down that I hyperextended my right
knee. At first it felt like someone had stabbed me in the knee with a pen
knife. It was so painful, and at the beginning of a 24km day! I hobbled along
for 3km until reaching a little café and treated it as best I could. Prayers
are appreciated.
For miles today there was the site of an ancient city perched
far above the countryside in the city of Monjardin. It is there that this medieval city dominated
the view of vast rolling farm fields, vineyards, and olive trees. Far, far in
the background you could see the steep, off-white rock wall of northern Spain’s
mountainous escarpment, a sheer wall of rock separating the Camino from the sea
to the north.
Still, amongst all this natural beauty, there was
Monjardin. It was mind-boggling to
consider how in the world all the stone and material was transported up that
vertical, rocky perch. However, what
consumed my every thought today while gawking at this ancient marvel were the
words from scripture, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” The structure
was so conspicuous and impressive all I could contemplate was Jesus’ words in
Matthew 5, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Maybe it’s just the crazy way I’m hardwired, but I got to
imagining this question, “So what could be hidden up on that hill?” Certainly
not a city like Monjardin. I imagined a village up that high could be hidden.
Certainly a small hamlet of small structures could be hidden. A single
structure would also very easily be hidden. The smaller that area of structures
for fewer and fewer people the less visible it could be “set on a hill.”
Yet the scripture clearly states that it is a “city.” I
thought, so what’s the difference? It is this. A city is a large community. It
can be made up many people living, working, sharing joys and struggling
together. As I considered the
alternatives of village, hamlet and small single homes, there are fewer people
in which to make community. What I came
to embrace is the idea that perhaps Jesus was speaking also about how elevated
in importance it is for people to grow as clusters of small communities into a
strong and mighty site for all to see.
Then there is the next line, “Nor do they light a lamp and
put it under a bushel basket.” Here’s how it all fit together in my
thinking. God has struck a light of His
love and unique gifts in each of us. When that light is brought together with
the light of others, the light grows and grows for all to see. What a brilliant
city of light becomes of a communities bringing their light together as one
city!
Yes, a city of light set on a hill cannot be hidden! It
cannot be that magnificent city without those communities of accumulated light.
Here is the dilemma. Community involvement furthermore,
community building becomes the casualty of the breakneck speed of today’s
living and bulging “to-do lists.” I’m not referring to kids’ sports team communities or dance/tumbling team
nights. Those communities have no issues with commitment. In contrast, so many find it inconceivable to
commit to faith-based community activities. What I contemplated was how the
downward spiral away from community pulls one person’s involvement, then
another, then another. It played in my
mind like removing one candle light, then another, then another. With each
withdrawl of candle light, the city up on that hill does become hidden in
darkness.
Again, my imagination, but perhaps what is confronting many
of us is C.A.D. That is, Community. Avoidance. Disorder. So many don’t or won’t
get involved in faith-based community activities because, in truth, they’re
avoiding them. Some might think that another
commitment seems ludicrous when life is already like surviving as a one armed
wallpaper hanger with the hives. Whatever good excuses there are, the ugly
truth faces all of us. We have a tendency for C.A.D. when it comes to
faith-based community.
What a loss it is to our growth as good, faithful, and loving
people without a small faith-based community that meets regularly to share the
joys and struggles of life! For most of us, C.A.D. is the direct opposite
direction to what would make life richer, more understandable, more confidently
directed, less lonely, and blessedly more supported on life’s journey. My contemplation today convinced me that what
might seem to be a necessary sacrifice by avoiding a faith-based community
life, is, in truth, the very necessary lighthouse to guide our days, our week,
and maintain a faith-filled life direction.
Take a pause in your thinking and consider the degree of
C.A.D. going on in your life. What
drives your avoidances? How insurmountable are these avoidances? Really, are
they really insurmountable or are the reasons motivated by seat time in the
Lazy Boy in front of mindless television? Let’s be real. Is there not one night
every week that could not a few hours of community fit a rearranged schedule? Be
honest. If joining a small, faith-based community seems like a life sentence
commitment, consider offering the community a season of weekly meetings over
one study or discussion topic.
And if you are already involved in a small base community, blessed
are you. You understand the benefits. Stay firm and committed in your
attendance and support. Share the good news of what your community has done to
enrich your life. Encourage others to start one.
Yes, combating C.A.D. requires a shuffle of time and
life/family schedules. Yes, you won’t be able to imagine finding the energy for
community night. Kids in the equation
will make it seem impossible, but creative thinking can overcome these avoidances.
New disciplines in life practices have some growing pains. All of these
situations are true. Everything in life with value comes with some degree of
sacrifice.
Consider the other end of the spectrum by withdrawing and/or
avoiding community. Our single light slides under that bushel basket, which
denies the world around us to grow from your unique light. Sadly, all live a
dimmer and dimmer life without the light of others.
Recall these lyrics to this hymn, “WE are the light of the
world, a light that shines before men, that all may see the good that we do and
give glory to God.”
Hmmmm. What new small, faith-based community will God
arrange upon my return? I anticipate it with great joy.
Peace, love, and joy,
Deacon Willie, DW
Hola amigo. Oro por tu dolor y Buen camino!
ReplyDeleteI heard a Bonhoeffer quote in a faith movie I was watching just before I read your blog. Amazingly God-like that they coincided . I pray your pain is merely skin deep and abates quickly. God is great. You are missed.
:)
Blessings,
Jennifer
“Pain is a holy angel who shows us treasures that would otherwise remain forever hidden; through him men and women have become greater than through all the joys of the world. It must be so and I tell myself this in my present situation over and over again. The pain of suffering and of longing, which can often be felt even physically, must be there, and we cannot and need not talk it away. But it needs to be overcome every time, and thus there is an even holier angel than the one of pain; that is, the one of joy in God.” -Bonhoeffer