I am at Cliff College in the beautiful peak district being challenged
by the concept of Christian coaching.
Loads of reflection to be had but for now let me tell you about a walk I
went on between teaching sessions. I decided
to have a look at the Monsal trail. The
trail runs along the former midland railway line for 8.5 miles between Blackwell
Mill, in Chee Dale and Coombs Road, at Bakewell. Most of the route had been
opened in 1981 but it was not until 2011 and a few million quid had been spent
that four railway tunnels each about 400 metres long were also open for trail walkers,
cyclists and horses and their riders. It
was with this knowledge I headed down to Headstone Tunnel.
After beginning the walk through – the tunnel is so big that there
are parts where there is literally no light at either end of the tunnel. It feels eerie to say the least - it feels
like the tunnels closing in on you - you feel trapped – the atmosphere is
different – breathing is a little tougher – its dark – imprisoned – utterly alone. It’s a difficult place. Who is it we know who feels like this? Who feels like there is no hope – no escape –
no life in all its fulness? We stop and pray
for them…
After a while some chitter chatter broke into the silence and I realised
that I was being joined on my trip through the tunnel. I did not walk with them – I did not converse
with them (except to say a very British ‘good afternoon’). But just having them present took away so
much of what I was feeling. There was
still no light at the end of the tunnel – it was still dark and damp – but there
were others there. It felt better. I was no longer alone. And as we pray for those who come to mind in
the tunnel we ask, how can we be present with them there? Missionaries we supported in my previous
church serving in Nepal told the story of a taxi ride shortly after the earthquake
that rocked the nation. The taxi driver
asked them, ‘when are you going home’? ‘We
are home’, came the reply, ‘this is where we live, this is home, in happy times
but also in the more difficult’. The taxi
driver was surprised, his experience had been that so many missionaries and
western workers were returning home whilst it was unsafe. But it was being present with this wonderful
country going through its most difficult time that they had so many
conversations about God. More than they
ever did before. By being present. Nepal
wasn’t alone.
As a travelled further down the tunnel the magnificent image, light
at the end of the tunnel! Hope!
So, we find ourselves in the tunnel – ourselves or present with
others and we are asking God to come near.
I was excited leaving the tunnel for the view over the peak District. I was a little disappointed!
It was nice to be out the tunnel, but I still could not see
clearly. How many of us go through life
like this? Not in dark places but not
fully appreciating life? Looking but not
seeing? Hearing but not listening? With acquaintances but not family? Alive but not living or living but not in all
its fulness? Sometimes it is easier to
ask for help when we are in dark places, the issues are often rather
obvious. But who is walking with us and
who are we walking with to remove the obstructions and to help each other
become all that we can be? Who is
walking us from life to life in all its fulness? Who is helping us grow deeper
into God. Who is walking with us as we
learn to love Him, and neighbour as self? Perhaps pause and pray about this now.
Because it’s worth it you know!
Just look at what was waiting to come into view…
Whoever you are and where ever you are on the journey may you know
loving people alongside you present on your journey helping you become all that
you can be. May you know God coming near
and bringing strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. May you not only live but be fully
alive. All this of course is only possible
in Jesus name… Amen.
