In a casual
conversation this week, two unrelated questions were asked of me: how my dogs
were (great), and if I was still running (yes!).
Then the
unrelated were related: Do you run with your dogs?
EGADS, I
answered: NO!
Why not?
"Rhythm,"
I said. "It's all got to do with rhythm."
When I
run, I like a steady rhythm. It's why I prefer treadmill to trail: I control
the speed and incline to be consistent. There are no surprises; I can watch the
game or play my music or whatever.
Walking
the dogs, however, has a very different rhythm. It's an ADVENTURE! Everything
is a surprise: there are bushes to smell and leaves to jump in and squirrels to
chase and neighbours to greet and grass to roll in, and ... Summary: my dogs do
not keep a steady pace; not with each other, not with me, not from one metre to
the next - and we all like it.
Rhythm.
It's all about rhythm.
Advent is
another example of a different rhythm. It's a season where were invited to pay
attention to the rhythm in our spiritual lives. It's different, seemingly out
of sync with the world around us (who consider this 'the Christmas season'),
but that's okay: we don't have to be limited by society's definition.
Instead,
we pace ourselves: we find the space to let the Advent rhythm take root deep
within us. We create the time to sit in the moment of preparation. We envelope
ourselves with the true meaning of Advent: because we can.
Our Advent
journey does not mean that we have to separate ourselves from the busyness of
typical Christmas preparation. What it does do is invite us to carefully and
prayerfully seek out the rhythm of the Spirit in our lives, and find ways for
each to be present and meaningful in our day-to-day practices.
Our lives
are full of rhythms, and we are enriched by how we respond to them.
The rhythm
of running? Consistent, and delightful.
The rhythm
of the dog walking? Adventurous, and delightful.
The rhythm
of Advent? Spirit-led, and therefore delight-filled.
May we all
be delighted in the rhythm of Advent.
No comments:
Post a Comment