Well now. Here I am back from vacation and General Convention getting caught up on three weeks of emails and messages and putting out all the little fires that spark up when one is out of the office for a time. Since I’m still transitioning back into the “real world,” I find myself still processing our time away and the wonderful experiences we had on our western road trip. For example, I have not been able to shake the juxtaposition of the grandness of what has been accomplished by the creator and the created, alike.
The highlight of our travels was visiting the Grand Canyon, although some of the other natural wonders we visited aren’t far behind it. The Grand Canyon was as impressive as I hoped it would be, and we loved the colors as they changed throughout the day. We managed to be at the rim for both a sunrise and a sunset, to hike down into the Canyon and back out – at least a portion of the distance down and back. I learned a lot about the assumed formation of the Canyon and its rock, a combination of tectonic upheaval and erosion working all at the same time, over millions of years. Its seeming permanence and an awareness of its constant transformation is ever present at the same time. It was breathtaking.
So was Las Vegas, but not for the same reasons. In some ways, Vegas represents the pinnacle of human achievement. A city has sprouted up in the desert where it has no earthly business thriving. There simply isn’t enough water readily available over the long term to guarantee its survival, but for now innovation and technology get the job done. The strip contains feats of architecture and technology, and also beauty at the same time. I will admit that the dancing fountains outside the Bellagio are stunningly beautiful. I will also admit that the billboards and neon are second only to that which I’ve seen in Times Square. All in all, it was a bit too much for us, although we enjoyed our time in Sin City.
Ironically, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas are tied together for me because I was in both on the same day. The morning that we rose before dawn
to hike into the canyon was unbelievably just a little more than 12 hours before we drove onto the Strip and found our hotel. Although the Canyon hike had been invigorating, hours of driving and side trips between the two had worn us out. We were exhausted as we struggled to find our way through the maze that was the casino hotel we stayed in. We were overwhelmed by the throng of people and the flashing lights of the strip. We were “hangry” as we tried to find something to eat, and at the end of that first night, none of us were fans of the city. It also didn’t help that the girls were verbally accosted by a scary drunken man on the street, just before we turned a corner and witnessed another man smoking up an unknown drug of some sort.
The starkness of these two vistas cannot be more different, and yet both represent the world in which we live. Together they do represent how the earth and those who live on it ebb and flow, change and grow, and shape the world around them. I also cannot help but connect the dots between the two by remembering that there was a civilization that once lived in and around the Grand Canyon. Long before it was “discovered” there were people who carved out (literally in some cases) a life along the Colorado River and the sheer walls of the Canyon. Just like the ancient indigenous peoples of Mesa Verde (which we also visited), there are ruins of cliff built communities and archeological sites along the rim that are still being discovered and explored. Just because a thing exists today doesn’t guarantee that it will be that way forever. Are the signs of the downfall of the modern vistas present, yet unseen? Perhaps.
I don’t want to leave this as though I have a negative and depressing view of things; on the contrary. Las Vegas was a great experience for us overall once we got over the initial shock of the place. I’m not generally a city person anyway, so Vegas is like most cities for me. I loved visiting it, but can’t imagine anyone wanting to live there. We enjoyed our hotel, especially the pool, and we saw a show that was mind-blowingly good. It was a lot of fun and a great way to unwind after a whirlwind road trip that saw us in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Technically, we were in New Mexico, too, but just barely, when we visited the Four Corners monument. But, I digress.
I will end with a reflection on being away in general, and an explanation for those who have inevitably questioned where I was and why I was away for so long. Serving at General Convention for nine days was part of my ministry to the wider church. It’s a part of my ordination vows to serve the wider church, much like my service to the Diocese. Part of my ministry – part of the ministry of all priests – is intended to take place beyond the bounds of the local parish. Such commitments are few and far between on this scale (blessedly!), but it was an honor to serve in this way.
As for vacation time, I always use up all of my vacation time. I have had a practice of taking two consecutive weeks off each summer for years. I have learned that one week doesn’t provide me with enough time to turn off my brain and relax enough to really leave things behind for a bit and catch my breath. This vacation was particularly needed. The past year has been very active, as many of you know. June, in particular, in the midst of our exploration on Sabbath-keeping, was devoid of much down time. I had one of the most active ten-day periods of my ministry in June and one of my longest stretches without a day off. I’m not complaining – just explaining. This sort of thing happens from time to time, and we have had a lot going on all at the same time, especially in June.
All this is to say that my time away was refreshing and invigorating, and that I’m ready to dive in again now that I’m back. I also found respite and Sabbath at just the right time for me to come back ready to recommit to regular Sabbath-keeping and self-care. I have no desire to burn out, even if the cause is a series of exciting and wonderful parts of ministry. I’m going to do my best to avoid it all cost. So, I’m ready to go full speed ahead again, I just might stop a bit more often. I missed this place while I was away, and I’m glad to be back. Stay tuned. We have an exciting fall in store.
Tom+
Most gracious God of Creation, who rested on the seventh day, we thank you for Sabbath moments in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Grant that we might seek you in the stillness of our hearts and minds by striving to create and embrace the time and space that can allow that to happen. Bless us with your presence and your nourishment so that we are filled even as we pour ourselves out, so that in and through all of our life we might live to praise your Name and spread the Gospel of your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.