Friends in Exile
Within the space of 36 hours last weekend , I'd spent time with two of my closest friends. One of the gifts of life and community is the gift of friendship. In a time starved culture, which can militate against and undermine quality and depth of relationships, it’s important to encourage and appreciate the gift of friends. I met with my first friend to have a catch up following her trip to Zambia. Returning to her birthplace and where she grew up, after many years was a daunting, rewarding and challenging feat. Returning to places of many memories; good, bad and ugly, she recalled the experiences and I observed in a heart that was warmed, disturbed and lonely. She has lived here in Britain for many years and never felt entirely at home. Yet returning to her homeland, she felt welcomed but a stranger there too. Reflecting on our conversation, it struck me that she was in exile and life and faith for her is one of trying to sing the Lord's song in a strange and at times very tough land.
The following day, heading north over the border, I met up with my other close friend, a Sassenach who has lived and worked in Scotland, within the NHS for many years. He does feel settled in the land and culture but like many in our Community, struggles to be at home in the different expressions of church. Committed, disciplined and loyal, to the cause, he and his wife were going along to their local church but with the air of resignation rather than delight. Exiles.
It struck me that our close friendship with these two folk was based on a number of factors, but common to us all, was the experience of exile. Not quite being at home within the church and culture. Feeling the pull of another kingdom whose values and way for living was informing our lives in different directions.
The whole new monastic movement is one that was effectively borne in exile. It’s context and the question of how we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land is a common, recurring theme for us all in Community.
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