G.K. Chesterton says in his book, The Incomplete Traveller, that ‘the traveller sees what he sees; the tripper sees what he has come to see.’
You know from my article last month, that whilst I enjoyed Germany, the trains were constantly late and we all have been at airports, waiting incessantly for a flight that has been delayed. I recall, with friends, sitting on the runway at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, the plane held back because of airport control, melting in the Italian heat, because the air conditioning had not been put on! I understand the frustration of coping with a crowded train, getting up at the crack of dawn to start the journey, arriving at your hotel so late that you have missed the evening meal and are given a cold salad!
But travelling should be fun!
However, we sometimes put too much emphasis on the destination rather than enjoying the experience. Recently, partly because of the volume of traffic and roadworks after roadworks in the City Centre, I have been sensible enough to catch the 4 or 4A which drops me in Sauchiehall Street, just round the corner from the Presbytery Offices. Sitting on a bus, particularly upstairs, allows the passenger to see what we would otherwise miss if we were driving: the wonderful architecture within Glasgow, people going about their daily business, the changing colours of the trees, my beloved Glasgow University where I studied, a coffee shop or a restaurant that I might like to frequent. All from the top of a bus – and free!
It is not just in Taoism, an ancient Chinese Philosophy which emphasises the need to live in harmony with the Path, but we also are known as the Children of the Way, emphasising the spiritual journey and life’s journey that we are all on.
Sometimes we are so keen to get there, that we miss what is in front of us and the pleasure and opportunity of that journey. Years ago, as a chaplain to a primary school in Paisley, the school had arranged a trip to the Manchester studios. We hadn’t crossed the Kingston Bridge and the children were asking, ‘Are we there yet?’ forgetting the four hours that lay ahead!
Even in the Church, we see the need to get from A to B, as soon as. Recommendations are made, decisions are agreed, boxes ticked, rushing from one task to another. The Mission Plan Act in the Church is taking time to come to fruition, some cluster churches unable to come to agreement with buildings and the form that ministry might take in the future.
Of all the matters that might come out of our recent Elders’ Conference a couple of Saturdays ago, what also was important was that we stopped and got to know each other that bit better. Did you know that Kirsty McMillan could ski? That Jane Stephen had been in a hot air balloon? That Emma Kinloch has swum with dolphins? Amanda Heather has been on the radio? Another Elder had read a book in a day; one had never broken a phone screen… and so the list goes on.
Yes, we were there to think about our Church and how we ‘do church’, and how we change, but I cannot emphasise enough the learning about each other as we continue the journey to where God is guiding us too.
There is something Biblical about Chesterton’s words and the difference between ‘tripper’ and ‘traveller’. We have a lot to learn about our faith but there are so many beautiful sights and people we need to see more clearly.
So many stories to learn about those who travel with us.
Take time, stop, admire the view, and listen to those around you, to the fascinating lives they have.
Your friend and minister,
George C Mackay
