Peacefulness and the party
This past weekend I officiated a wedding for an incredible young woman who is one of my former youth ministry students. It was a beautiful day and evening.
As we transitioned from dinner to music and dancing, the celebration moved outside. Enjoying the moment, I glanced between two columns and noticed the view above. Lights from the party glowed on the columns while a beautiful sunset faded behind the lake.
There was a tension between the two. The lights, the party, loud music, all right here in front of me. Life in motion, calling me to participate. People around me, talking loudly, enjoying an evening of celebration. A hundred different sounds and images clamoring for my attention.
The lake, the breeze, the calming effects of nature, gently calling me into a place of peace. Hundreds of hues painting a scene of beauty. Nature reminding me of the importance of silence and pause.
Neither could garner my complete attention. I couldn't help but glance at the beautiful scene on the horizon, even in the midst of the voices, music, dancing, and more. When I found myself pulled towards nature's silent call, the party would pull me back in, demanding my presence.
Even Jesus struggled with this tension. Consider the story we encounter in Mark 1:35-37...
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Jesus, like all of us, struggled to find time for peace and for people, for solitude and for solidarity, for calm and for community. It is part of the human experience.
I know plenty of people who beat themselves up emotionally for not having enough quiet time, whether it be Bible reading, prayer, meditation, or just "me time." Others may feel like they don't have enough time for the demands of life, work, family, friends, activities, and more.
The reality is, we need to learn to extend grace to ourselves and accept we will likely never maintain a balance we are completely satisfied with. Life cannot be about the pursuit of the perfect balance. Rather, let's learn to enjoy every minute of life, whether we get it right or not. Maybe in the midst of the tension between peacefulness and the party are the places of mystery where we most fully experience what it means to be human.
"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you.""
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you.""Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MRK.1.35-37"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you.""
Mark 1:35-37
https://www.bible.com/bible/59
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