Roads, Highways, and Journeys of the Spirit

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

I recently read an interview with Pete Buttigeig, Secretary of Transportation, that stopped me in my tracks.  I try not to involve—at least by name—public officials or government leaders because this is a non-partisan blog that should relate to readers of all political persuasions.  But this interview was very different and fits our exploration of seeking God in contemplative prayer and acts of kindness.

Among other themes explored in the interview was the theme of Buttigeig’s faith.  He is a devoted member of the Episcopalian faith and finds great comfort in liturgy and religious observances.  What he said in the interview sparked a ‘synchronicity’ between his job as Secretary of Transportation and the stories involving roads and journeys in the Bible.  Think about this: As you journey for deeper meaning in life, you are really trying to find God; you are seeking, walking, taking some transportation to get to this God who is, as I said last week, really within you.  You need to use prayer, simple, quiet, thoughtful prayer asking God to make himself known to you and to guide you in life’s mysteries.  Thus, you are engaging in contemplative prayer—the prayer that weeds out words and distractions, drama and conversation.  Buttigeig says this is a guiding light for his responsibility.  People need a way.  They need a road, they need signs, they need a map.  They will get there if we provide this for them.  Spiritually, we need the same: a road, signs, a map.  Our prayer life and our religious commitment provide this for us.  As we reach deeper into our heart to find God, we must pay attention to the signs God gives us to follow.  If we follow them, the road is not frightening or treacherous.  We will find God at the end…

Buttigeig’s comments inspired me.  He said, “Something about movement, something about travel pulls us out of our routines that numb us, who we are, to what we’re doing, to everything from our relationships with each other to our relationship with God.  That’s why so many important things in the Bible happen on highways.”

All I could think was, this is the right guy for the job he has!! 

So, I began mentally to list the stories of journeys.  I stayed with the Christian Scriptures, but I hope I can do the Hebrew Scriptures as well.  Both are so full of journey stories.

In no order of their telling, think of:  The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and then to Egypt; The Good Samaritan’s journey on a bad road riddled with thieves; the journeys Jesus took from one place to another during his ministry, the trip (actually a hike) to Mount Tabor he took with three disciples, the walks to Bethany to Mary, Lazarus, and Martha’s home, the walk to Calvary.  These are only a few of the documented travels found in the Christian Scriptures. 

The Hebrew Scriptures are also full of journeys that have given us the meaning of God’s pursuit of us more than our own pursuit of God.

Whether you reflect on the Hebrew or Christian Scriptures on this theme you will notice that you have to be open to the numbness that Buttigeig referred to, to move forward, to take on the road of exploring where God is in your heart.  Perhaps this summer you have taken some journeys, walked with tourists, or walked in the woods and hills of your neighboring parks.  Perhaps the road you took was a long plane ride or a fun train excursion or a demanding car trip.  Usually, these trips are exciting as we think of the destination.  But I’m also thinking of people who are driven to walk hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles, to secure freedom and safety for their families.  Actually, that is the story of the Jewish people who wandered through the desert to find the land of ‘milk and honey,’ the place where they could worship Yahweh in freedom.  It is the story of countless refugees and immigrants who are pouring into other nations seeking asylum every day.

Reflection

Nearly all authors of the spiritual life and of prayer, compare one’s prayer life to a journey.  Since we have been exploring the contemplative prayer, we can see the symbolism between prayer and journey quite readily.  When you engage in contemplative prayer you allow God to direct you.  You do not use words.  You simply sit there: recollected and open to listening.  You might use a mantra like, “God, be with me,” or “Lord, touch my heart with your love.”  You want to be led farther and deeper into the soul.  You need only do a few minutes of this every day. 

Resolve this week to spend some time in contemplative prayer each day.  According to recent studies in neuroscience and spirituality, this practice

leads to a greater awareness of how God is working in your soul; it will lead you on a journey that is happy and fulfilling.  One of history’s greatest poets, who happens to have been from Afghanistan wrote something I find appropriate to quote here:

WHERE AM I GOING?

Where am I going on the glorious journey?

To Your house, 

Of course.

(Rumi in Love Poems from God

Edited by Daniel Ladinsky)

I’m hoping next week to provide a reading list of wonderful writers on this subject.

Be well—all my readers and Anonymous Angels—who contact me faithfully!