The Art of Neighboring, 2 (The Power of Invitation and Interruption)
The Story: "Avodah", Jeff Smith
Reflection: In our post-modern culture of uber-productivity, where every hour is quartered and every step is tracked, an interruption can appear to be the saboteur of an ordered life. Interruptions are moments that alter our rhythms, if only for a moment. They insist that we stop to see what is happening in front of us and give it our undivided attention. Often, this produces anxiety; however, this week, our Art of Neighboring focus asks us to consider an alternative stance: interruption as invitation.
What if, instead of seeing the interruption as a disruption, we saw it as an invitation to encounter the holy? How would this change our view of the unexpected call, knock or text? In the scriptures that shape our Christian tradition, this is often the case. On the way to growing in our practice of being good neighbors, what if we took a deep breath and looked for a glimpse of God? Jeff Smith will help us open our eyes and hearts to the invitation of the interruption with his message, "Avodah" as the summer of letters comes to a close and we prepare for a new season of growth.
Question for reflection: This week, take time and observe your response to interruptions when they happen. Are you anxious over many things?
