Tuesday 16 August 2011

Christians@work - Tuesday

A swallow circled above our heads in the main conference hall. We sat with the doors open, despite the cold, in the hope that it would find its way out. Our keynote speaker, Ann Morisy, took this example of compassion, a hallmark of our species, as the launch pad for today's theme: Pitfalls and Possibilities

(By the time we came back from coffee the bird had found its escape, to our relief, and perhaps also to yours!)

As human beings we are capable of imaginative, compassionate response towards others, yet anxiety is a major pitfall. The Mennonites, with their strong commitment to peace also understand anxiety because anxiety threatens peace. When we are anxious we tend to react instinctively rather than respond maturely. We gather with those who are like us and readily find enemies and scapegoats. We distance ourselves emotionally and our capacity for compassion is diminished. Our behaviour becomes extreme and unyielding.

By a quirk of conference planning, this behaviour was admirably demonstrated during the evening session as we played out a simulation game in which different tribes, with different credal beliefs, acquired and fought each other for land on 'creed island'.

A Christian's calling is to become a non-anxious presence. We need to be aware of what triggers anxiety in ourselves and others, and to be able to lessen it rather than aggravate or escalate it.

Possibilities open to us when we act in the way of Jesus... even just a tiny bit. We can step into a world of abundance and experience a cascading of grace. It starts with our asking ourselves the searching questions 'could I...?' 'should I....?' By these questions, we face our anxieties and embrace new possibilities. We may dare to take risks on behalf of others - particularly those whom no-one values - and so discover the essence of our work as Christians.

Mostly we live, by habit and culture, in an 'economy of scarcity.' We are alert to risks, fearful of competition and aware of the need for strategic thinking. The alternative is an 'economy of abundance', which gives meaning and significance to what is modest and humble. It encourages openness and a free imagination. It looks beyond the business of survival and invests in human relationships. Can we truly believe in the economy of Gods abundance? Can we live it?

Our work - whether in employment, in the home, community, church or whatever, should be an opportunity to make our best contribution, rather than an opportunity to further our own success.

A lot to ponder in the afternoon as I walked the coastal path to the village of Llangrannog and beyond.

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