Northern Reflections Pt 1 - Facing the Loss of Loved Ones

 Earlier this summer I read a delightful book of reflections by Desmond Carroll, an Anglican priest (Irish by birth) in Canada's Arctic.  The book also contains original painting-illustrations by Ted Harrison, a renowned Canadian artist.  I'd like to share just a few of Carroll's words of wisdom:

The Loss of a Companion

Someone has died.  The one who died was a young man, still growing into maturity, knowing the responsibilities of husband and father - life stretching before him, with that sense of immortality which can be so deceptive.

All this has gone and the family that once felt its oneness and completeness, is fragmented and shattered.

A friend has left us, a companion has died; we sense the disappointment and the sadness and yet we confront a mystery that is ever present.  In the silent moments we begin to glance at those who share our pilgrimage, and reach out to touch and be touched by our other companions who will share our burdens and sorrows.  We experience the fellowship of the Spirit that heals and binds together as the journey of life is continued.

The human race is not immortal, so why should death come as such a surprise and catch us so unawares? ...

For the ones that remain, especially one who has been chosen as a life companion, the time is confusing and there is a grasping for that which gives meaning.  Ancient words, borne towards us by our spiritual roots and traditions, sound true as they confront the reality of life.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want ... yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil ... For thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23)

Somehow, what has been up to this time a private world, begins to be transformed into a world which is universal and timeless. ... We do not hide our sadness in the sands of religious ritual, but rather our faith gives us strength to face the emptiness that death brings, and to grasp, at least initially in some small way, that life shared with God transcends time and space.

Carroll, Northern Reflections (pp. 36-37)

The Power of Story

 I'm just about finished reading Kyle Beshears' new book: Apatheism: How We Share When They Don't Care.  It's a tremendous volume which accurately diagnoses the prevalent spiritual malaise of the Western world (apatheism: lack of interest in God questions) and proposes numerous suggestions for engaging our apatheistic neighbors with the Gospel.  I highly recommend the book!

But this short post is to share one particular nugget from Apatheism, in which Beshears talks about the power of sharing the Gospel as the story which has transformed our life to bring us enduring joy.

Stories compel us because they draw on the power of imagination to penetrate our hearts and minds.  They have an uncanny ability to sneak past our barricades of belief, invade our buffered selves, and change us without our permission and sometimes even our awareness. (p. 105)

Earlier, Beshears talks about the centrality of joy in the Christian life and witness, and the necessity of incarnating and communicating joy in our interactions with apatheists (who themselves are pursuing joy but cannot find it amid the transient happiness that worldly goods obtain).

We as Christians have joy because of what God has done through the Lord Jesus Christ, and we rejoice in spite of our circumstances, whether we are healthy or hurting, satisfied or suffering, glad or grieved.  With Christ, it's possible to smile amid poverty, to rejoice in the face of cancer, and laugh through tears. (p. 78)

Kyle Beshears' Apatheism is the fruit of over a decade pondering contemporary spiritual disinterest.  It is a worthy, convicting, and encouraging read.  Highly recommended!