Fall 2009 Quiet Day - A Life of Joy in a World of Anxiety

Fall 2009 Quiet Day

A Life of Joy in a World of Anxiety
Rev. Dr. A. Katherine Grieb

My 5th quiet day – I approach this one with great anticipation.

I am amazed that I am still surprised by some of the physical aspects of the seminary. There are still things on this campus that are new to me – not just the “annuals” of the newly installed stuff. I am amazed by the St. Francis statue by the bench at the corner of the graveyard. That’s an odd combination. Then right next to that is a bridge and a bench right next to Mitzi’s yard.

I am also amazed at the insulation we have from the outside. We have room to be a place of peace and (relative) quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Alexandria and Washington D.C. When we are here we seem to be protected from the community – even though there is nothing stopping an “assault.” At best we have two gates to keep people out (why?) but otherwise it’s a sidewalk and some fencing. Our only buffer is open space (like the grove, Trotter Bowl, and parking lots) – inviting to some, excluding/isolating to others.

Why do we choose to live this life of semi-isolation? What is it about the outside that keeps us here, especially on a quiet day? There is tension: we are called to minister in and to the world; we are called to come away and separate ourselves from society; we are called to be in community with others “like us.” Sometimes these feel like they are at odds.

Anxiety and joy: emotions that are opposed to each other. What (at least for me) causes these two emotions/states of being? Anxiety: isolation, self-dependence, self-reliance; joy: community, partnership, God-reliance. Anxiety: dis-trust; joy: faith. It’s interesting that this profession puts us in tension. Why? I won’t say for spiritual growth – that sounds too flippant. But there is truth there. As we grow in trust we become better able to live the life of joy because we stop making it all about us. The reality of our life is it’s all about the relationship with/between God, community, and self. To truly live joyfully we cannot be divorced from the relationship/equation. Joy, for God, proverbially resides at the intersection of our sacred-human relationship.

…shifting gears…

What is it about being wholly present with a person that prevents me from “forgetting?” Ironically, I was slightly overwhelmed yesterday in ethics class when we had a discussion about theodicy and untimely death. My immediate response was flashing back to Children’s National Medical Center and the day the 8 year old died. Not wholly surprising – that was a life changing day (no pun intended) – still, the vividness of my memory was mildly shocking. What does that say about my “suitability” to be a pediatric hospital chaplain? I don’t think it precludes the option, it just means I have to live there in joy and not anxiety.

On my own, the world can be (is) overwhelming. In community/with God, I will not be overwhelmed; I will be blessed by trying situations and I will be able to live in joy and not anxiety.

The Labyrinth

It’s not that God is at the center of the labyrinth. God is there but God is everywhere.

Why am I called to the center? Not to stay there sitting with God; I’m called to pause there, refocus on where God is; challenge where I claim God “to be;” and carry the revelation that God is wherever we stop to look for him.

Our humanity is our belief that we know where to find God – someplace besides everywhere. But the reality is God is there where we are. Our journey revolves around God, always and everywhere present. God is like (but not really like) the canvas that “houses” our labyrinth. God is the fabric that our journey takes place in/on/over/through/about/around. (How do we journey in company with God anyway?)

Our joy is remembering all the journey is with God, regardless of where we turn. We can wend our way all over creation and never leave God’s presence. God is at the center of our universe, at the center of your universe, at the center of the universe; in/of/about/beyond time and space.

Our mission is to help others see God in the fabric of life; not because we’re better at it. Rather, because we are touched by God’s presence in a special way. Because we’ve had someone point out the presence of God at our center we must share that understanding of God’s presence at the center of all life and all over.

Thanks be to God!