When my brother was staying for a few days, one morning we went for a walk up Forrest Hill and round Centennial Park . We came across this Kereru who was happy to pose for a couple of photos. Of course, when you are walking there is more breath for talking, when compared to running.
So we talked about family stuff and general things, and it was an element of his visit that I appreciated.
There is a stark contrast between the first part of the walk up Forrest Hill Rd. during rush hour, followed by the bush loop in relative tranquility, with native flora and fauna. There is an opportunity to be in nature in the cool of the morning.
This reminds me of our walk with God through life. Sometimes there is too much noise, too much traffic to hear the subtleties of the voice of the Spirit. We make it so by filling our lives with activity. Other times life imposes its own seemingly random chaos in unforseen crises and trauma. When is the opportunity to listen and understand what God is saying?
Sometimes God inserts a place marker to gently illicit a pause in the journey. Like the beautiful wood pigeon observing us and slowing our steps, so God gets our attention somehow. You know, we can choose to walk on by without regarding the plump magnificence of the Kereru for more than a second. Or we can pause and give thanks that there is a little wilderness in the city. We can watch and listen.
Bartimaeus was attentive by the roadside as Jesus walked out of Jericho with his disciples and a crowd of onlookers.
Blind, he was paying attention through the other attuned senses to what was around him. He was ready for the intervention of Jesus on his path.
Is there enough space and clear air on your walk with God to hear the voice of the Spirit? Maybe we need to slow down a little, and listen. Be ready for the God moments. Shalom.
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