These Days: Insight, Encounter, and The Unknown Future
A musical reflection for the day.
“These Days.” That’s what I have named this musical meditation. I enjoy creating and fulfilling my creative side. My inspiration comes from a story from a friend and guide, Trevor Hudson.
In his profound book Finding Another Kind of Life With Ignatius of Loyola and Dallas Willard, Trevor Hudson tells the story about a conversation with his spiritual director. Trevor was gaining insights from imaginative meditation on a passage from John 21 he had been given to pray the previous day of an eight day Ignatian Retreat. He wanted to share his insights with his veteran retreat guide and Jesuit priest. He writes:
“Instead of sharing my excitement about my new learnings, he looked decidedly unimpressed. Halfway through what I was sharing, he interrupted me. With a twinkle in his eyes, he leaned over and said:
Trevor, insight is the consolation prize. The first prize is encounter with Jesus.”
With a smile, my retreat guide suggested that I return to the Gospel encounter between Jesus and Peter, dwell within it imaginatively, and let Jesus encounter me in whatever way he chose to do so. For the rest of that day, I lived in this Gospel story. The scene came alive for me as I looked and listened with my inner eyes and ears. I found myself drawn into conversation with Jesus about where I found myself in my life, and I sensed his presence with me, inviting me to stay close to him and follow him into the unknown future.”
Insight is the consolation prize. The first prize is encounter with Jesus.
Those words have found a home in me. These days in my journey and earthly pilgrimage, it’s less about seeking insight and more openness to genuine encounter, less than a certain life plan and more of the adventure of a grateful present and the unknown future. That is inevitably true for us all. Christ calls us to a future that is filled with hope in following the Way, following him, who is the Lord of life.
These days…
We still need the honed wisdom of experience to navigate our way. We need the perspective that comes only with maturity. Here lies the spiritual challenge: revisiting priorities, above all going deeper into friendship with God. Living each day as the adventure it is with those we love.
For me, I am finding that the greatest consolation and strength in these gift of years, is the practice and invitation to Contemplative wordless prayer. Receiving. Beholding.
Looking at God, looking at you, in love,
yielding to God’s love, and
resting in God’s love. Silence. Stillness. Gratitude.
As always with God, it’s all about love. Love never ends. Courage and hope my friends!
With you on The Journey and The Way,
Rob+
P.S. Audio sounds best with headphones!