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That old thing... "if you're a 'leader' and you look around behind you and no one is following, you're not a leader, you're just taking a walk."
I think this of myself sometimes. I wonder what I think I'm doing. Am I delusional? Have I thrown away much in exchange for little? I hope not.
Another begged question: What else can I do? If I deeply and firmly believe that what I'm doing and want to do is right and good, and God, then how can I do anything else?
- My implied answer: nothing. I must continue with the work that I have started. I must also continue to be open to possible needed changes in how the work is to be done.
It seems that, along the continuum, this work comes to key evolutionary points. Sometimes we're going along with no apparent changes taking place. They may well be happening but are not noticeable. This is generally true.
There are also, in the evolutionary process of such an "animal." points at which certain of the collective and formerly unfelt changes that have been taking place, come together and make themselves seen. A bud, if you will, pops out of a formerly bare tree branch. It grows, breaks open, and leaves come out. I think this might be one of those times in the life evolution of Vine & Branches. Analogously, it is perhaps like being time to crawl out of the water for the last time, when for a while, we've been going back and forth between water and land. Or again, it is time to jump down out of the trees and walk upright permanently.
These are definitely periods of felt change. Almost always, this is painful. Even though the hidden, imperceptible changes that make these periods of apparent change possible have been happening for a while, ...
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That's as far as I got, but I think the thought is clear enough - times are a' changin'. Things are happening. Pray for us.
technorati tags > monastic, church, emerging church, new monasticism, vine & branches
posted by + Alan @ 3:49 PM :: 2 comments
2 Comments:
I am in one of the those times when it seems like absolutely nothing is happening and wondering if I have "exchanged much for little", as you put it. I keep waiting and hoping for the bud to sprout on the bare branch. It's not easy.
I feel a special kinship with VBCC, but I think you already knew that. You are most definitely in my prayers.
Peace
You know what's awesome?
Us! Ha!
'For I know the plans I have for you,' says Kyle. 'Plans to annoy you and to ask impertinent questions, and generally to jump around and make yappy noises until you just don't think you can stand it anymore.'
'And this, for quite a long time.'