I think I am nearly 4,000 miles away in Panama City as I write this month’s newsletter. I had a beautiful, comfortable and upgraded flight down here to begin sabbatical. This area is beautiful, surrounded by jungle, the Pacific Ocean, the Bay of Panama and of course, the canal, which by the way, is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary this year. 20,000 people died to labor and finish what was first conceived by French architects before the turn of the century.
Today, Monday, the 10th of February, I took a cab to the highest peak in the city. It is called, Ancon. At one time, it was a fortress and communication center for the USA during our years of operating the canal. It is a steep mountain with a one lane road. A guard controls traffic so it is only going one way at a time. The right side of the road going up is a giant cliff that tops out at about 1,700 feet. Did I mention that I am acrophobic? It took a couple of minutes to restore normal breathing on the way to the top. George, my cab driver and I visited the 3 viewpoints on Ancon. The spot is marked by a Panamanian flag now that the canal is operated locally. The pole is enormous and the flag makes the sound of a muffled gunshot when the wind catches it and snaps it around. According to George, the flag is exactly the size of a regulation basketball court. Imagine that? A flying flag as big as Alaska Airlines Arena? Big fella.
As I stood at the highest vista look out at the ocean, the ancient colonial city and the new modern city that rivals any downtown in the world, I was struck with a bit of a metaphor. I was in a high place, doing nothing but watch….seabirds diving, ships moving under the Bridge of the Americas and heading toward the Milaflores locks. You probably knew that it costs money for boats to go through the canal. There is lots of traffic and $9-12 million dollars per day charged to those transiting. A nice shot in the arm for the locals.
But, lest I stray on about specifics from the pinnacle of Ancon, let me instead share an insight I experienced. As I stood there and offered thanks to God for this great emerging nation and for the privilege of sabbatical, here is what passed through my consciousness. It might just have been a message from the Lord. It’s as if I heard the Almighty say, “Randy this is what sabbath and sabbatical are all about. You were made to regularly stop and stand above your life and the lives and activities of those around you…and simply be still. Rest. Live in the great mystery of life. Don’t enter the fracas down there today. Today is sabbath. Savor the mystery of it all. Rest. Soon, very soon, there will be work to do. Rest today and soak up the view”.
So, can we enter into sabbath and like our Creator, “look on all that he has made and say it is good, and rest?” Apparently this is possible…but, I am an activator and slow to catch on to the idea of looking down favorably upon what is in gratitude and resting. How about you? This kind of soul-care is not just for clerics on sabbatical or retired people. This is the wholesome sabbath of God offered to each of us if we regularly just drop everything and stand willingly before the One who has made us.
I am going to do a lot of this looking, reading and prayer. Just finished Henri Nouwen’s posthoumosly published LOVE IN A DANGEROUS LAND, A GUATEMALA STORY. It’s a two hour read. It is an incredible testimony to the mystery, love and peace of God that rules in hearts and lives of those who love him, even in the midst of modern day persecution.
Now, back to my blog, then off to some time of prayer and a walk along the harbor promenade this evening. God bless you all.
Randy Rowland
0 Comments