Waiting

I am not always good at waiting. By nature, I tend to be an active person and like to get things done. I also like to be organised in a flexible sort of way.

A recent event involving lockdown up here in the NT has given me cause of reflection.

I tend to like being in charge of organising my timetable.

I do not think this is bad in itself. There is nothing wrong with being efficient.

However, watching and waiting is also a very important balancer to activity. It is also spiritually valuable.

It helps to connect the activity with contemplation. Life is a great teacher.

In the scriptures, there are many instances where interruptions to plans have resulted in great benefit to individuals and to those around them.

The words of the prayer of abandonment of St Charles de Foucauld says,
‘I do not know where I am going or what lies before me, but it does not matter as long as I am lost in the heart of my creator.

Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Mary and Joseph, the Apostles, etc, all needed to trust that God knew what He was doing.

In our fast-moving lives ‘Holy insecurity can be a healthy reminder‘ of healthy detachment.