Beginning day 3

Today brings another early start. Although I'm normally out on my daily cycle ride at 6.30, that is routine, familiar, routine. Here I'm facing new challenges, however small, at an early hour. This morning brings the most complex "positioning flight" to return to where I left off my walk yesterday. Rural bus routes sometimes take different routes at different - presumably to meet the needs of different sections of rural communities. So it will take me 3 buses to get to where I want to be. And tonhe there before 10, I need to get the Transpeak (fortunately literally outside the door!) at 7.15 as far as Cromford, plenty of time to find the bus from there to Ashbourne. And then nearly an hour to wait for the bus to Newhaven. Fortunately I love the problem solving of working this all out and revel in the bus journeys - time to relax, enjoy a wonderful mix of familiar sights conjuring memories of past adventures and things I've never spotted before and seasonal delights. A real opportunity to celebrate being in the moment.

Already two familiar themes are presenting themselves for further reflection.
Back in Jeremiah 29 this morning, the first 9 verses are about settling down while waiting for the return from exile -so getting on with living everyday life faithfully, witnessing to God's goodness and faithfulness by the lives we live - rather focused on the longing for the better things promised, hoped for in the future - God's "big plan".
Secondly Lectio 365 listeners will have been reminded this morning about being "constant in prayer". Easy to say but not so easy to maintain. I guess that whilst the apostles may have been living off the generosity of those women of Jerusalem (after God normally enables people to "live by faith" by prompting others to give), most of those 120 disciples in the twixt Ascension and Pentecost period had to go to work, keep house etc. Similarly we have to strive to be constant in prayer amidst the demands of everyday. As Christian communities, undertaking 24/7 prayer usually operates on a rota system. As an individual I need (aside from my Quiet Times and any other dedicated times of prayer) to discipline myself to be aware of God's presence and be in communication with him amidst my usual activities. Lots of room for growth!Read more