Openness to New Experiences

I wonder would you consider yourself adventurous or open to new experiences? Sometimes we miss out on things by virtue of taking too cautious an approach. When we take the opportunity to do something a bit different or outside of our comfort zone we can be exhilarated and surprised.

I remember in my twenties, living abroad and being part of a Bible study group that met in someone’s home. One of the group had a daughter who was exploring a career as a professional dancer. The dance company was putting on a Ballet in the local city hall and it was suggested that we might all go and show her some support.

My first response, as a man in his early twenties was, Ballet? I don’t think so! I didn’t know anything about it. I suspected it would be tedious and boring and, as the arrangements were made, I tried to find an excuse to get out of going. As the performance took place on a night that I wasn’t teaching, I had to go with it and say I would come along.

I found the experience breathtaking. The music was beautiful, the movements were gracious and mesmerising, and I got drawn into this wonderful experience I might have closed myself away from, knowing nothing about it. I discovered that, in the nearby capital city to where I lived, there was a Ballet company that put on regular performances, and they were both affordable and a joy to attend so, I guess, a new window was opened up to me.

Last Friday night, with our Boys’ Brigade, I was given the opportunity to attend my first ice hockey game. One of the leaders gave me a little crash course in terms of the rules and what I ought to look out for. The Belfast Giants were losing 3-0 until the last 20 minute period of the game when they launched a spectacular comeback and won 6-3. Quite apart from the excitement and the result, I was amazed at the speed and the balance of these athletes as they powered their way around the ice, expending every ounce of skill and energy in the process. They needed regular substitutions to replenish their energy levels, and the artistry in sending out rapid passes and the capacity to change direction at such high speed on the ice, was quite a spectacle.

As I knew nothing of the sport, it again would have been easy to miss this opportunity. We like to stick to the familiar, to operate within spheres within which we think we have control and we know what’s going on.

I wonder is it the same in church life? Do we stick with a certain type of service or formula because we believe we can manage to operate it? We know when to sit down and stand up, we can get through without looking foolish, we like the people who sit near us and the little conversations we have with them week by week. We enjoy the familiar hymns and songs, the predictable nature of what is about to unfold.

There’s perhaps a danger there that we have tried to domesticate or tame the untameable. We keep going in certain patterns or ways and, perhaps, have closed ourselves off from the work of the Holy Spirit?

If we think of those outside our church’s walls, how accessible are the services we want them to come to and participate in?

I had a call some time ago from someone who was looking to contact a local church, but who had the wrong number. They lived in a town, maybe 15 miles away, but wanted to explore the faith after a series of crises and difficult experiences in their life. We ended up speaking for maybe 20 minutes or so. and I had the opportunity to pray with that person over the phone, but they were keen to try a new way for their lives. They knew a little, but wanted to know more. They were so open and keen to experience more than they had already known.

The season of Advent and Christmas will offer a variety of worship experiences for people to engage with and encounter – from traditional services to contemporary services, from Taize services to Christingle services and carol services – there will be a range of things on offer.

If you don’t normally come to church, you may not like all of them, but you might like some of them, so I want to encourage you to be open and you never quite know how something might impact your life. Maybe you will have a significant encounter with Jesus you were not expecting?

Can I encourage you to pray for the family of Sandra Finlay as they prepare for her funeral service tomorrow (19 November) at 1.30pm in Kirkwoods Funeral home, please? May Sandra’s family know the Lord’s comfort and strength at this time.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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