A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way.
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| Preachin's Blog A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way. |
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Friday, May 14, 2004 Notes on Traveling
I got in from Maryland yesterday and do have some thoughts on the traveling experience which I was able to participate in during the day. I have always enjoyed traveling, particularly flying (which was my primary mode of transportation yesterday.) One of the most interesting points of traveling is the unique dynamic which presents itself on a plane or in an airport terminal. In both places you have travelers from entirely different areas of life all stuck together for a time who are passing through each others' lives for a matter of moments. It can truly demonstrate the lengths to which western society has turned us all into separate beings with little or no intimate contact with those around us. In the airplane you have probably 100 or so people stuck together in an aero-dynamically correct tube with wings that is purposed to get all 100 or so of these people to a particular destination. The journey has many components that we all share. Now on this plane the chatter is kept to a soft lull as the flight crew tends to their obligatory tasks. The patrons of this flight will read various things, listen to some music in an isolated reproduction device, talk softly with a travel companion, or work on a laptop computer. Only on rare occasions does anyone converse openly with their seatmate who is a complete stranger. (I actually got to do this the other day, it was interesting and a truly good experience.) In the terminals we see people rushing from gate to gate, small groups moving along attempting to get from their arrival point to their departure point, business people talking on their cell phones in an attempt to look either halfway important or get some critical issues resolved before they are cut off from the world for several hours. All these people can walk by and never present a single emotion beyond complacency for the rest of those in the terminal to observe. You can actually sit in a chair in the terminal and watch the seemingly endless crowds of people walk by, viewing their habits, and not be out of place. (People watching is a particular experience I enjoy) It is wholly possible to get through the entire experience from one's arrival at their departure point to their arrival point answering only two questions the baggage check person has for you and never receiving a personal touch (unless you are unlucky enough to be wanded by those guardians of all things metal.) The metaphor here extends easily to the church and the community found within. Every Sunday morning across this world there are countless millions who wander through the corridors, hallways, and sanctuaries of our collective worship assemblies never having to confront anything spiritual nor receiving a personal touch. They can traverse the space of our churches, get a small slice of religious participation in, and never get a touch that the church and her citizens are to give. These people can then move along to their next destination points, having never engaged nor been engaged, and live a life devoted to being an island. Now certainly the community relationship in the local New Testament church is to be a two way street; but shouldn't the church and her citizens make the transition as easy as possible? Can we bring these people in and help them further establish their lives in Christ? I think so. The church is purposed to bring together the body of Christ, I hope truly that the church will reach those who can breeze through her corridors and give them a meaningful touch. posted by Preachin Jesus | 3:06 PM | |
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