Three Road Trips
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to model how a relational study is done and provide questions relating text to the FAW theme for individual or group use. |
The quotation "Life is a journey not a destination" is a very freeing concept for me. The notion that the journey is about discovery, observation and reflection, not about getting it right the first time, is a heady experience for this perfectionist. As we have moved through the gospel of Luke this year there has been no difficulty in finding stories to illuminate our themes. Time to get going is no exception. There is lots of movement in this gospel and we have much to learn from these "Road trips".
Read the stories listed above with your group or out loud to yourself in several translations. Try to imagine being on each journey. As different as these stories are there seems to be several common elements. What do you see? Hear? or feel about each one?
Luke 1:26-56 (Mary & Elizabeth)
Mary's trip to see Elizabeth has always been a favorite one. This tale is found only in Luke's gospel, I am grateful he included it. Wonderful for this young girl that she had an older and wiser mentor, a companion on the way. Mary's process seems to track the ideas we have been working with. Getting still was certainly a priority in her life. By listening her life was forever changed as well as ours! The need to get together motivated the trip and she and Elizabeth get going. Her song indicates that they "got going" on imagining the kingdom of God. Perhaps they remembered Hannah's story (I Samuel 2:1-10). Her song is a model for Mary. Perhaps this is one of the things Elizabeth helped her see.
Linger here in this story and make some connections in your own life. Who was an older mentor for you? Was there a time in your youth that you experienced a call? What did you do with it? How has this effected the choices you make in you life today?
Luke 9:51-62 (Journey to Jerusalem)
In whatever gospel I am studying when Jesus turns his face to Jerusalem I catch my breath and get a lump of fear in my throat. It helps me a little to see that the disciples weren't much more effective, arguing and posturing to hide their concern. (They even compare themselves to Elijah. II Kings 1:9-16. Jesus responds by calling his followers to a higher standard, I Kings 19:20) Jesus sets his face but continues to stop and heal, teach and engage with people all the way. Scholars have difficulty with the itinerary of this journey, as do we! The trip starts in chapter 9 and doesn't end until 19: 29. It provides another glimpse of the kairos time in the kingdom (You may want to read these chapters to get your own flavor of the road trip).
Robert Greenleaf says we want a guide who only has at heart our getting lost! Jesus seemed to be that guide. He was concerned with what must be taken away rather than what was gained, very different pattern from the world's exercise of power, control, and greed. Here we see compassion, nurture and freedom as well as commitment.
Compare this with your own spiritual journey. How do you feel about the commitment Jesus calls for? How has your life been affected when you did, however briefly, follow him?
Luke 24:13-30 (Road to Emmaus)
Here is another journey story recorded only in Luke. I believe the pair were husband and wife. In those days no man could have prepared a meal! Two very discouraged people travel home sharing their pain and their questions. Jesus joins them. Notice the way he listens for their questions before giving answers and gives them all the time they need for conversation. This road trip has so many facets. For our purposes here find the similarities with the other road trips we have visited
It seems to me to get going we need a partner and /or a community. We also need a growing knowledge of Gods' story and a willingness to share our own story. "Our Guide" will appear to us in different and unexpected ways, meeting each one of us where we are with a call and a challenge tailored to our gifts. This has been my experience.
Richard Rohr says "The more you become aware of your own center, the more you can open your boundaries . Otherwise you spend your life defending those boundaries. Nevertheless we have to be patient and take certain steps toward growth. A mature Christian is capable of going beyond all previous boundaries and suddenly discovering Christ where he or she would never have expected."
What about you? Tell your story. Enjoy the journey. Get Going!
Suggested Readings:
Greenleaf quotation from Turning Point, The Institute for Servant Leadership, 15 Macon Ave, Asheville, N.C. 28801.
Prayers for A Planetary Pilgrim by Ed Hayes, Forest of Peace Publishing Inc. 1989 Simplicity.
The Art of Living by Richard Rohr, Crossroad Pub., 2000.
Nancy Boyle is a workshop leader, teacher and Christian Education Consultant living in Columbia SC.