READ
Psalm 119:32
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
John 20:1-4
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him! ”So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
John 21:4-7
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
REFLECT
Answering the Bell
One practice that has nourished my spiritual life are times away at a personal retreat. The purpose is just as the word “retreat” implies. To remove oneself from the pressure and competing demands of a busy world and find time with God alone. Since it’s important to be free of distractions the location of the retreat is vital.
Over the years I’ve found that one of the best places for retreat are monasteries one can visit throughout the world. These are places where large chunks of time are lived in silence. I look forward to the quiet as time for prayer, writing, reading books from my long list of unread titles, soaking in the beauty of creation, and the refreshment that comes from sensing His voice and presence.
My first retreat to a monastery was in the Ozark mountains. I flew to a nearby city, rented a car and headed out into the country where a small room with a cot, a small library, and beautiful grounds awaited me.
After a day of busy airports and travel I looked forward to the time when I would finally start my retreat. I arrived and unpacked my bags, placing my clothes in the little wardrobe provided and went to sit in one of the rocking chairs that overlooked the valley. Although exhausted, I was eager to get on with my plans so I opened a book and a journal to take notes and began to read.
Just as I began to feel my body relax and I began to find the first nugget I would write in my journal, the sound of a bell pierced the silence. I recognized it as the signal that said it was time to gather for the mandatory introductory meeting.
“So soon,” I thought. “I just got here. I don’t want to go! I’m just getting started with my retreat. I’ve got books to read, prayers to pray.” I grumbled silently and even toyed with the idea of “forgetting” what the bell meant, but the image of the stern nun that had greeted me and my faint memory of signing the paper that said it was mandatory for guests won the day. So, I waited till the last possible minute, dragged myself out of the chair and slugged down to the meeting room.
As the last one to arrive I took the only available seat in the front row. Later, I was to recognize the type of frustration I felt as a pattern in my life: I often stuff more into my day than I can manage and then find myself being annoyed by interruptions that arise. I’m ashamed to admit that it’s true even when some of those “interruptions” come from people I love.
The sister in charge of the meeting went through a short greeting, explained where important buildings could be found, reviewed the schedule and then began with a review of rules I had already read. It was all I could do to stay in my seat.
Then, near the end of her talk she mentioned the bell. She said that it would ring for each meeting – mostly times of community prayer. When the bell rings,” she said, “I think of Jesus calling me. If he would call to you, what would you do?” She paused just long enough for the question to penetrate my thoughts and then continued, answering her own question. “When Jesus calls,” she said, “I drop everything I am doing, and I run to Him.”
At first the picture of this nun, her habit hiked up above her ankles, revealing her Walmart tennis shoes (and I suspect, unshaven legs) was slightly amusing. But then I realized the contrast of her running to meet Jesus with what I had just experienced. I had been running too – but instead of running to Jesus, I was rushing to the sound of my own plans yet dragging myself to meet Him.
Throughout that week the bell rang several times a day. Each time I thought, “Jesus is calling. I must run to Him.” As I did, the annoyance of a bell interrupting what I was doing was replaced by the satisfaction of attending to the Lord and the anticipation of what He would share with me. I would imagine the smile that would fill his face when he saw that I was eager to be with Him. And the smile that would fill mine when I saw him waiting to welcome me. The frustration melted away and the smallest of tasks – even meetings that were formally annoying – melted away.
It was a lesson that would last. So often our life is spent running from one demand to another. We even treat our faith as an obligation to be endured – something to get done, cross off our to-do list, and fit in. Integrity means ordering our time to the sound of His voice.
What if, throughout the day, we listened for the delightful interruptions of Jesus calling and we ran to be with Him. It’s likely not a bell. It may be our spouses calling, a bird singing, a complaining client, a homeless man asking for food. a friend with a need, a child with a softball game, or a hundred other “interruptions” that “take our time.” One thing is clear – once we hear His voice in these and we run to Him, it changes everything. That much is clear as a bell.
RESPOND
Questions to Consider
- How do you arrange your day so that Jesus is first in the way you order your time?
- How do you or can you make room for Him to speak to you throughout the day?
- How might “interruptions” be an opportunity to hear and speak to the Lord?
Prayer
Tune my ears, O Lord to hear Your voice. As it arises in my thoughts. As it arises in my conversations. As I choose what I will attend to. Among the obligations. Among the interruptions. Among the blessings and among the disappointments. Call to me Lord and I will run to You.
Blessings,
Rev. James R. Needham, PhD, MDiv