Coracle Trust E-Reflections
Faith transitions: Turning around yet one more time
Thursday 3 November 2011
The soul should always stand ajar
That if the Heaven enquire
He will not be obliged to wait
Or shy of troubling Her
Emily Dickinson
Winding number around point, Jim Belk
I have wondered why Jesus’ opening line is frequently “repent”... The Greek word metanoia is better translated as “turning around”...But how many times do we have to turn around and start again? How many times must we change? Isn’t it just one decision for Jesus or one for joining the church? No, it seems that the whole journey is about letting go and developing an ongoing willingness to turn around yet one more time. (Richard Rohr)
Lightfooted responsiveness
I have also heard Peter Nielson talk of the need to be lightfooted. By this I understand quickly saying Yes to what at any moment may be the breath or invitation or mark of God. It is to not close a door too quickly, to not set your path to the extent that you can’t alter it, to be ready for midcourse adjustments. This smacks of humility and readiness, to as Rohr puts it, turn around yet one more time.