Friday, January 25, 2008

Life to the full

Back in November I started a thread on the Ship of Fools discussion boards about what Jesus meant when he said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." A few days ago I added this, which I've posted here, on my own little Teapot webspace, because as I've reflected on it, I've found that these things give me a helpful framework and reminder of what is important, and I thought I'd keep them where they can be an easy reminder of what I'm aiming for:

"I was walking down the street the other day and I passed a family* and as I looked at them this whole discussion came back to my mind. There was something in their appearance and expressions that seemed hollow and though I of course don't know their circumstances at all, it prompted me to imagine. (Imagine both the hollowness of some lives - though maybe not theirs - and the things that might bring the fullness we've been talking about). So, thinking of such a family, as well as the things that I feel make life satisfying, and what we've come up with already here's my suggestions for what might bring about "fullness of life"...
People - to love, spend time with, care for and be loved by (unloneliness!)
Food - sufficient to fuel our bodies as well as to enjoy in itself as we enjoy the tastes of the fruits of the earth and the fellowship that's possible as we eat with others (Jesus seemed to do plenty of fellowshipping and educating over meals).
And shelter.
Love - overlaps with the people aspect of course, but that deep sense of being loved and accepted, by God and by others.
Beauty - Opportunity to enjoy beauty, whether that's the beauty of a sunset or mountainrange or perfect plan of a new bridge, or a painting (each to their own!). Eyes open to creativity.
Creativity - opportunties to be creative, whether in the arts or building, work or play, growing things, learning, or in messy stuff with children, or parenting, or writing, or making practical things (each to their own again).
Achievement - that feeling of a sense of achievement at tiny or huge things, in work and free-time. Close links between creativity, achievement and contribution?
Fun - times for light-heartedness, companionship, games, sport... just fun!
Contribution - sense of purpose and not living in an isolated bubble.
God - the purpose, acceptance, hope, forgiveness... that comes from being in the relationship with God that (speaking as a Christian) I believe we were made for.
I suppose as I look at that list it gives me a sense of how to be truly human. And I think essentially that fullness of life comes from not only experiencing these things but essentially for being unselfish in enabling others to experience them.
All that from walking past a family on the way home and hoping for them!

*a man, a woman, a child in a buggy and two young children walking with them; appearing worn out, perhaps with low income and no employment, perhaps a difficult relationship... of course these things are imagined as I thought about any family for whom these were the circumstances and what would bring them fullness of life."

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Another Year On...

I thought it would be interesting (for me if not anyone else) to look back at the first posts of 2007 on my blogs and see what I was thinking and resolving at the start of the year just ended. And I have to say, I did find it interesting! Over at 'Chelley of the Shire' which even in its name points to one of the big changes of 2007 - seeing as I'm not now living in the Shire to which that referred - I was turning over a phrase in my mind. And actually this phrase has stayed with me through the year as something of a (hoped for) summary of my Christian life: "to live with reference to God; that is, God made known in the person of Jesus Christ." More of that here.
And here at the Teapot it seems I had been reading '84 Charing Cross Road' by Helene Hanff and had resolved to be an improved letter writer in 2007 - something I'm afraid I have rather failed at... at least resolutions can be carried over!
But strangely enough as we begin this new year I am again reading a book by Helene Hanff: 'Apple of my eye' - a book about New York, by a New Yorker; and very interesting I'm finding it too. I picked up this book in a little secondhand bookshop in Cromer during the half term break and have only just got round to reading it. And perhaps this book too points to one of my resolutions - to go on a voyage of discovery! I'm enjoying finding out interesting bits about NY - not least because I love detail, maps, history and studying people (though the book hasn't provided me with the maps, I had to use the net for those). I think I'll be attempting to read (and write) more, to delve into the diverse range of books I have tucked away that have been bought with delight but sadly neglected... books on medieval history, on poetry, collections of letters, crime fiction, maps... and so the list goes on.
I still seem to hold onto the dreams of being the person I see in my mind's eye - hopefully a not too unrealistic dream, with God's help? And yet at the end of each year I seem no nearer to reaching that goal, but as long as I've made steps in the right direction, remembered what's important, been a blessing here and there - then perhaps my year has been ok - resolutions or not!