11. Impressions

In front of you is some sand

You remove your socks and shoes

Tread in the sand to leave your footprints

Step back and look at them

Where you have walked has left an impression

 

What will be left of us when we’ve left,

when we’re gone under down into darkness, the earth and memory?

When our dust and ashes have shaken themselves down

and reverted to their original state

will their miraculous interlude have leaned on history’s rudder?

 

  • What will be left of us when we’ve left?
  • What traces will we leave?
  • Will the evidence be compelling?
  • What will the surviving witnesses say?
  • How will they know we were here?
  • Will the future be better because of what we did with our present?

 

  • How many breaths make a life?
  • How long does it take to make a difference? (When can I start?)
  • What will history say of us when we’re history too?

 

  • What will be left of us when we’ve left?

 

If there is something you would like to say to God as a result of your journey through the labyrinth, you can write it in the comments as you leave.

home | 10. others

2: Noise


Sound engineers speak of two things – signal and noise.

  •  The signal is the meaningful part of a transmission.
  •   The noise is all the unwanted stuff
    that interferes with our ability to hear and understand the signal.

Our lives are full of noise:

  • so much information,
  • so many messages,
  • all competing for our attention.

We find it hard to find the signal.

 

Take some time to identify the noises around you one by one:

  • traffic;
  • children playing;
  • dogs barking;
  • the hubbub of life…

As you recognise each one,
savour it
and then place it to one side.

 

What are the noises on the inside?

  • that song you can’t get out of your head;
  • thoughts that won’t stop chattering;
  • nagging worries;
  • hurt;
  • anger;
  • things you have to do tomorrow…

Identify them one by one,
listen to them and place them to one side.

 

Let God still the oscilloscope of your soul,

  • turn the noise off
  • and give you peace.

Then listen for his signal.

 

Be still

quiet

listen

still

be

home | 1. inward journey | 3. letting go

8: Self

“You created my inmost being
  You knit me together in my mother’s womb
  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made
  Your works are wonderful, I know that full well”

When you look in the mirror what do you see?

  • Do you, like the psalmist, see someone that is “fearfully and wonderfully made”?
  • Does what you see make you want to praise or cringe?
  • What do you think Jesus meant when he said to love others as we love ourselves?

 

What is the you of you?

 

Stop to feel your pulse
Life is running through you
Life is a gift of God

 

Feel your fingertips
Look at the pattern on them
Each is unique

 

You are unique
You are made in God’s image
You are loved by the Creator who is proud of you, the created.

 

Look again at the mirror

  • Ask God to show you the real you,
  • the you without image,
  • the you that God sees

 

home | 7. outward journey | 9. planet