The Plan

simplicity // 3

the Plan

Lent is, in huge part, about making space. But this journey is also about discerning where we are going (movement), as well as making the most of every single step along the way (presence).

This is my own, emerging plan:

I will make space, this Lent, by: giving up perfectionism in my work (thus freeing up time) and relinquishing the desire to impress;

I am moving towards: living a simpler life, of love (especially love for my family)*;

I will become more fully present as I go, by: trying to live each day of Lent “gesture by gesture”, as Mary Oliver puts it.

We will, little by little, explore ‘space’, ‘movement’ and ‘presence’ in turn, as we start (next week) to reflect on some ‘icons of simplicity’. But for now, why not complete the following for yourself - intuitively, without thinking too hard about it:

I will make space, this Lent, by...

I am moving towards...

I will become more fully present as I go, by...

As the saying goes, ‘A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.’

* * *

*footnote

No sooner had I written the words, “a simpler life, of love (especially for my family)”, when the phone rang. My wife was out, so I broke my flow – irritated – to answer it. It was the school, to say that my son was poorly (he has minor heart complications, which occasionally manifest)... And I now faced a potentially lengthy interruption, just as I’d entered the writing zone. I felt frustrated with him, for being ill, and with my wife, for not being here to sort it out. And then I stepped back and remembered what I’d just written. Ouch.

I mention this, because, as we follow the lead of soul and Spirit, we are likely to face opposition – from others, possibly; from spiritual forces, sometimes; but usually, from our self: specifically, that part of us we might call ‘the flesh’, or the ‘false self’.

Try to become aware of this, as Lent proceeds. We shouldn’t go looking for opposition, but we should be prepared for it. After all, we are on a journey of the soul. And that spells danger to the insecure, ego-driven part of us that would be tempted not to deny ourselves but to cling, for dear life, to business as usual. Don’t forget, Jesus met the devil in the desert...

And so might you.

* * *

rsvp

“Day 1: three minutes at least in silence. Lovely! What can I hear? (a) Neighbour tramping up and down her stone floor, (2) a skip being delivered up the road, and (3) the doorbell! Decorator arrived earlier than expected... Day 2: (a) Choose to enjoy, rather than be envious of, others’ Lent 40 RSVP revelations. (2) Plan to go for walk, after Sainsbury’s, and to stand in park for my Spirit experience. (3) Move car for decorator. Lock self out. Eventually track down cleaner and drive along South Circular (with commuters) to pick up spare key. (4) The park will have to wait for me!” Daphne

“I am challenging myself over this Lent to tackle a part of my life that I desperately need/want to change and am confident that with His help and all of yours it will be so! Wonderful.” Nich

“Day 2. A windy wilderness! Not at first the ideal conditions to sit outside and gaze. Yet in these few moments before the afternoon chill drew me back indoors to a comforting cuppa, I found rest and stillness for my soul in the simplest of things, and felt the hymn “Angel Voices Every Singing” come to my mind - God “rests not day nor night” and will keep me – us - through these 40 wilderness days, and far beyond.” Mark

“My journey has started with the hardest challenge, which I have embraced, of being still and withdrawing from the everyday demands of work, family and domesticity, at least for a short while every day. I was particularly struck this morning, and have been at several moments throughout today, by the phrase ‘the empty space of an unknown place’. In my insecurity, I have been trying to fill it myself... The change I am making as a result of this is to wait, watch and listen. To find the stillness and be open to what is shown and given. I will no longer be wearied by the chase; I am excited about what I may discover in the stillness.” Paula

“This is my prayer in the desert when all that’s within me feels dry/This is my prayer in my hunger and need/My God is the God who provides/I will bring praise, I will bring praise/No weapon formed against me shall remain/I will rejoice I will rejoice/God is my victory and he is here” ‘Desert Song, One for the Road’ (Hillsong) Kirsty

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,

And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over. (John Masefield)” Sandra

* * *

May you keep walking today, even if you stumble or fall.

You are not alone.

Go well!

Brian