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Previous Reflections

A BALANCING ACT

Canon Mark Bonney, Treasurer (Wednesday 1st August 2007)


One of the aspects that always strikes me about reading the first chapter of Genesis is the sense of balance it has. It portrays an image of creation in balance and harmony, of order and priority. There are many angles to that – not least the way that harmony and balance is evidently not in place now as we misuse and abuse this planet in so many ways. Our use and abuse of the planet and the likelihood of worldwide ecological and social disaster is at the forefront of debate as it never has been before. The planet is at a crucial crossroads. Choices today are critical for the forests, oceans, rivers, mountains, wildlife and other life-support systems upon which current and future generations depend. There are crucial balances to be got right at the political and environmental level that we all have to face. In the Genesis story God rested from his labours on the seventh day. This is a very powerful image of balance as well -the right balance between work and rest. The right balance between work, rest and worship. Many of us will be taking holidays this month – hopefully a chance to rest, recuperate and rejuvenate. We invest an enormous amount in our holidays – not just money, but expectations of what they can achieve (probably having our expectations placed too high). Unless the right balance of rest and work is with us throughout the year then there will be little chance of the week or two away fulfilling expectations. There needs to be a balance between a time for rest; a time for family, for self and for God that’s part of a weekly pattern. An imbalance in these areas is the cause of so much domestic and personal tension. The Genesis myths speak so powerfully because although not historically or scientifically true they tell the deepest truths about human beings– created to be in harmony with one another, themselves and with God; and how the whole thing gets in a muddle and out of balance through greed, selfishness and the like. Perhaps our holiday time may be the start of a recovery of a balance that with God’s grace can lead into all of life.


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