Labour day today.
A thought .... paraphrased from the Westminister catchism of the Anglican church:
"Men and Women's chief end is to glorify themseleves and enjoy themselves for ever" or so think many of us. Our aim is to work in order to rest. What folly ... do we really want to spend 40 hrs a week for 40 years merely marking time waiting for weekends and retirement (which for most is a struggle anyway)? Can we really be satisfied with glorifying only ourselves. What a waste.
"Men and Women's chief end is to glorify their employer and to enjoy them for 2,000 hours a year" or so many of the economic theorists (and politicians) and not a few employers think. Just as we don't exist for ourselves, we are also not merely cogs in a machine - mere human resources, for the greater glory of GDP.
"Men and Women's chief end is to glorify God and [in so doing] enjoy Him [and ourselves' forever." This then is the context in which we live our lives - the work life balance we so seek is right because it acknowledges our creator and the purpose of our creation.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Wholeness
I've thought a lot lately about responding to the whole of a person. As a chaplian I'm obviously interested in their spiritual wholeness. But, this can not be divorced from other needs - physical, social, psychological and financial.
I recall when I was involved in helping physical needs - developing a laser to remove birthmarks - that I was amazed at the transformation that could result in people with what could be classed as a cosmetic change. The man who used to work night shifts to avoid people ended up training to be a helicopter pilot - a life long dream. The elderly lady who had spent her life wearing a scarf on her face becoming the life of the party and telling everyone that "now I will live". Obviously there are more serious physical issues than birthmarks, but it is apparent to me that they all impact our psychological and spritual lives. This is one of the reasons I am building a business (using some laser technology again) that is aimed at helping prevent people getting degenerative diseases like cancers, heart disease and stroke. In doing so I have also seen the difficult financial situation so many people are in and how that can also affect their spiritual and physical health.
This has all reiterated to me the fact that we are not merely "bodies" nor merely "spirit" (psyche), nor, in fact, merely "human resources" - cogs in some economic machine. Being truley whole, therefore, is being fully physical, fully spritual, and in proper relationship to the world - including the economic system - in which we live.
For me personally - whether I am wearing my hat as a Chaplain or a businessman, or as a father, a son, a husband, or friend - I need to learn to treat people as whole human beings. Practically, this starts with listening to their needs and responding with compassion, wisdom ,a and grace - so help me God.
I recall when I was involved in helping physical needs - developing a laser to remove birthmarks - that I was amazed at the transformation that could result in people with what could be classed as a cosmetic change. The man who used to work night shifts to avoid people ended up training to be a helicopter pilot - a life long dream. The elderly lady who had spent her life wearing a scarf on her face becoming the life of the party and telling everyone that "now I will live". Obviously there are more serious physical issues than birthmarks, but it is apparent to me that they all impact our psychological and spritual lives. This is one of the reasons I am building a business (using some laser technology again) that is aimed at helping prevent people getting degenerative diseases like cancers, heart disease and stroke. In doing so I have also seen the difficult financial situation so many people are in and how that can also affect their spiritual and physical health.
This has all reiterated to me the fact that we are not merely "bodies" nor merely "spirit" (psyche), nor, in fact, merely "human resources" - cogs in some economic machine. Being truley whole, therefore, is being fully physical, fully spritual, and in proper relationship to the world - including the economic system - in which we live.
For me personally - whether I am wearing my hat as a Chaplain or a businessman, or as a father, a son, a husband, or friend - I need to learn to treat people as whole human beings. Practically, this starts with listening to their needs and responding with compassion, wisdom ,a and grace - so help me God.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
About the children
Children keep us focussed on what matters. I had a wonderful time with a blessing of a child care facility the other day. Here is a poem I wrote;
What is a child that your are mindful of her
and infant that you care?
Formed in their mother's womb under your watchful eye
Set apart as unique, never to be repeated
So fragile, yet so strong
Destined to love and be loved
Created with tears to wash away pain and
laughter to embrace all that is joyous and good
Ahhh... there is our answer
In a glimpse of innocence,
of unrestrained joy,
is a reflection of the divine.
What is a child that your are mindful of her
and infant that you care?
Formed in their mother's womb under your watchful eye
Set apart as unique, never to be repeated
So fragile, yet so strong
Destined to love and be loved
Created with tears to wash away pain and
laughter to embrace all that is joyous and good
Ahhh... there is our answer
In a glimpse of innocence,
of unrestrained joy,
is a reflection of the divine.
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