CHRISTIAN COMMENT
MANDY, my wife, and I are preparing to move to North Devon. At one level this is quite exciting, at another, it is very nerve racking and emotional.
Still being involved in the community here, it is hard to imagine life away from this area and the churches of which we are so much a part. We have built up many friendships and shared many experiences, so it feels like we are leaving family.
Moving causes so much upheaval, not just emotionally; research tells us that moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Another challenge in moving is dealing with the clutter that has built up – this has been a particular weakness for us.
Sorting through paperwork has been an experience! We had bank statements dating back to the time when there was an Alliance and Leicester in Tiverton; bear in mind that it was taken over by Santander in 2008, and neither bank has been in Tiverton for many years, why we held on to this paperwork for so long is hard to explain.
It’s been a similar experience clearing out the loft spaces. Boxes were stored which we have not opened in the last five years. It’s been a painful experience of having to sort through those boxes and discard things that at one time meant something to us.
While this has been challenging experience, paradoxically the clearing out process has also been very therapeutic. During this whole process we have made a resolution not to allow ourselves to get so cluttered again.
The thing is, I seem to remember having made the same resolution when we moved more than five years ago. Time will tell whether we are able to keep it this time around.
This has reminded me that our lives can also get cluttered at times; sometimes its self-imposed, other times circumstances take over and as a result worry and stress can weigh us down and distract us from what’s important in life, spending time with family and friends, looking after our own health and wellbeing nurturing faith.
Jesus also knew such dangers; in reponse he recognised the importance of rest and reflection, he encouraged his disciples to take time out. In Marks gospel we read: “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they (Jesus and his disciples) did not have time to eat, he said to them, ‘come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”.’
Although this time was short lived, it is a reminder of the importance to pause and reflect, to regain perspective and set aside that which clutters our lives.
As I continue to sort out what I should keep or discard, the words of Jesus resonate with me and are a reminder of the importance of setting aside time to pause and reflect on what is important in life and make sure clutter does not get in the way.