I do appreciate the privilege of taking a holiday when many people in our world don’t have access to the bare necessities of life. Whether it’s a vacation or a stay-cation, taking time over the summer away from routines allows for reflection on the year that has been. They also help to recentre our priorities on family and friends and the values we aspire to like gift-giving and being in touch with nature.
For several years my family spent some of our holiday time at a New Wine camp for spiritual renewal and refreshment. It was such a treasure to gather with other Christians on holiday to share stories, sing songs and pray together. These became a sort of pilgrimage. I often reflect on this discipline of pilgrimage that was a hallmark of the people of Israel, captured beautifully in the songs of ascent in Psalms 120-134. These were sung by families as they journeyed towards Jerusalem on holiday/pilgrimage. They are filled with reflections of the past, hopes for the future, reminders of the blessings of family, and witness to God’s provision and protection.
My imagination fills in the scene of a family settling down for a night in tents under the stars on the roadside. Of parents singing Psalms 130 to children who were too excited to sleep:
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Or in reassuring tones of Psalm 121 sung to those who were anxious for their safety:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
“Ka mua, ka muri” is a Māori whakataukī (proverb) that advocates for the important part that reflection plays in preparing for the future. It means “walking backwards into the future".
This summer, may you have the opportunity to draw yourself away from the routine to reflect on the year that has been. Why not take a notebook to record the things you are grateful for, the answers to prayer (and the unanswered) and the ways in which you have been a witness to God’s provision. As you reflect, consider the error often made of looking for God’s hand in the spectacular and so miss supernatural provision in ordinary things.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
I do appreciate the privilege of taking a holiday when many people in our world don’t have access to the bare necessities of life. Whether it’s a vacation or a stay-cation, taking time over the summer away from routines allows for reflection on the year that has been. They also help to recentre our priorities on family and friends and the values we aspire to like gift-giving and being in touch with nature.
For several years my family spent some of our holiday time at a New Wine camp for spiritual renewal and refreshment. It was such a treasure to gather with other Christians on holiday to share stories, sing songs and pray together. These became a sort of pilgrimage. I often reflect on this discipline of pilgrimage that was a hallmark of the people of Israel, captured beautifully in the songs of ascent in Psalms 120-134. These were sung by families as they journeyed towards Jerusalem on holiday/pilgrimage. They are filled with reflections of the past, hopes for the future, reminders of the blessings of family, and witness to God’s provision and protection.
My imagination fills in the scene of a family settling down for a night in tents under the stars on the roadside. Of parents singing Psalms 130 to children who were too excited to sleep:
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Or in reassuring tones of Psalm 121 sung to those who were anxious for their safety:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
“Ka mua, ka muri” is a Māori whakataukī (proverb) that advocates for the important part that reflection plays in preparing for the future. It means “walking backwards into the future".
This summer, may you have the opportunity to draw yourself away from the routine to reflect on the year that has been. Why not take a notebook to record the things you are grateful for, the answers to prayer (and the unanswered) and the ways in which you have been a witness to God’s provision. As you reflect, consider the error often made of looking for God’s hand in the spectacular and so miss supernatural provision in ordinary things.
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
