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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Editor's Angle |
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As leader of the Iona Community, Norman Shanks wrote: We are either 'pilgrims' or 'planners'. 'Planners' spend their time trying to fit into their lifestyle and priorities set by others, and measure the value of social achievements in terms of material success. 'Pilgrims' on the other hand cope with the unpredictability of life, accept human vulnerability and see life's ups and downs in terms of opportunities for human growth. How readily we 'make plans' for the new year: Finish the house, go on a trip, save for a new car, spend quality time with family and friends...' The list goes on and on in setting goals in our rich and organised society. No wonder time seems to go so fast - there is always a sense of urgency to 'do' something. When Canberra is ablaze and World War III looms, we can be sent reeling, unable to 'get back on track.' Some never recover, and there are many scarred souls whose bodies survived but who lost everything else. Observe how wobbly the stock market gets. Yet losing all one's worldly goods can be a turning point for some. After fire destroyed her entire home (for the second time), Tasmanian author Margaret Scott said 'they are only things, after all.' For the Planner such a disaster could be a mortal wound. But the Pilgrim's wound would would heal, perhaps leaving a scar as a gentle reminder of life's journey, like a worn patch on a favourite garment. You can't but wonder how much happier Christians could be as Pilgrims, allowing God to set our pace and priorities, without being organised out of our lives. As they say, maybe we need to 'go with the flow' more than we do. |
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