Chapel A Day - Day 17 (One Way In- One Way Out)

Okay.... so, stay with me on this one. I promise you won't get lost. One way in--- one way out.

Today's chapel moment came not from sitting in a chapel, but from walking around in circles!

Photo ©: Jeff Saward/Labyrinthos

Chartres Cathedral in France is the site of the only surviving medieval labyrinth in the world.  

A labyrinth is a circle with a path that winds from the entry point to the center.. and then back out again. It's not like a maze, where the walker can become confused by the choices of going this way or that. The labyrinth has a structured path with no options that might lead the walker to become lost or disoriented. You enter and leave at the same point. 

One way in--one way out.

The tradition of walking the labyrinth dates back four to five thousand years. In Christianity today, many of the faithful will walk the pattern of the labyrinth as a way of settling the mind and spirit, and for focusing on developing a closer walk with God.

My introduction to the labyrinth came at the University of West Florida. The Chartres Labyrinth was re-created in the Commons Auditorium. I didn't know what to expect, as I walked into the darkened room, which was illuminated by candlelight and was filled with the soft sounds of medieval music.

I sat in a chair for a few minutes, adjusting to the dim light, listening to the music and thinking about why I was here. I took off my shoes, took a deep breath and took my first step. I walked slowly, alternating between praying.. and listening. When I got to the center, I just stopped.

 Like you, there are a lot of concerns on my mind and heart each day. Concerns for myself, my loved ones and my world. I stood in the center for a few minutes and did my best to release those concerns to the One who "holds the whole world in His hands." Then I turned, and began making my way out.

My steps were lighter on the way out, as I retraced my foorprints When I reached the exit/entry, I felt stronger and more peaceful.

I discovered in this unusual chapel moment that  my Christian faith is much like this labyrinth. Unlike other paths, this one is solid and sure. It's not a maze that can confuse and confound. It is structured, focused and secure. I can't get lost, if I stay on the path and remember... 

One Way in.... One Way out.

Chapel A Day- Day 16 (You Never Know What You'll Hear)

The Chapel at First United Methodist Church
Pensacola FL

The lighting in the small chapel was dim and conducive to prayer and meditation. Conducive to reading scripture and devotional material? Not so much. "That's okay," I thought. "I will just sit---and listen."

Have you ever sat in one place---for one hour---in the shadows---just listening? 

I  still haven't. 

Nope. Not that disciplined. I found my thoughts wandering from here to there. I prayed. I sang softly to myself. I tapped my feet. I whistled. I was what my grandmother used to call a "wiggle-worm."  I would corral my thoughts back in, only to have them wander off again. I almost nodded off.

I  had a flash of insight to what Peter, James and John might have felt like that night in Gethsemane. (Matthew 26) Jesus had asked them to keep watch while he prayed. Instead---they fell asleep.  "Couldn't you even keep watch for an hour?" He asked them.

Oops. 

I felt like I'd let the most important One down, by not even being able to sit still and listen for Him for one lousy hour. 

Immediately my thoughts jumped again. This time they landed on a stand up comedy routine I'd heard while visiting a friend's church. The routine featured two guys. One portrayed God and the other was, well---a regular guy. The regular guy had exhibited bad behavior and was apologizing to God. The regular guy said, "I just feel like I've let You down."

God replied--- "You were never holding Me up."

Wow. I guess I need to remember that. God holds ME up---not the other way around. HE doesn't need me to be still and listen to, or for, Him for an hour---or as long as it takes. 

I need it.

I stopped looking at the clock. I started looking at front of the chapel. I sat. I focused. I listened. 

What did I hear? I'll tell you in a few days when I get it all straightened out in my head and in my heart. In the meantime, I'm gonna' go back to that chapel. Who knows what else I might hear in the sounds of silence?

Chapel A Day- Day 15 (Past Imperfect)

Photo:
©Drexel Gilbert Enterprises, Inc.

It was the perfect place to enjoy a recital of chamber music. 

Old Christ Church has been standing guard at this corner in Pensacola, Florida since 1832. It oozes history. Coupled with the 1800's-era music being played by University of West Florida students on the harpsichord, viola and cello, the atmosphere seemingly transported me back to a time when music, worship services, and life were seemingly more simple and pure.

About the third song in, the musicians were joined by a soprano soloist. Her voice was beautiful. She was perfect. Until... her voice cracked on a high note. Could have been the strain of the note.. could have been the pollen in the air... could have just been a fluke. The musicians continued to play. She stepped back, cleared her throat, stepped forward and continued on to a perfect finish. 

Today's chapel moment causes me to reflect on the word "perfect."

A few days ago, after writing and publishing a blog entry, I began to question the verb tense in one of my sentences. I called upon a couple of grammar gurus for help, including  the English Comp instructor I was lucky to have during my recent return to college. My grammar was correct, she assured me. I was using "past-perfect tense."

I laughed when I read that.. irreverently thinking, "Well my verb tense may be past-perfect, but when it comes to my life, it's more past-IMperfect!"

That's part of why I am trying to visit a chapel a day during the 40 days of Lent. It's not because I am "good" or "holy" or...Heaven forbid... "perfect." I am trying to iron out the imperfect wrinkles of my life and become better at what I do, who I am and who He wants me to be. 

Photo:
©Drexel Gilbert Enterprises, Inc.

Is it working? I don't know, yet. I do know that these hours of reflective time have caused me to cross paths with people, stories, music, scriptures, history and ideas that I might not have encountered otherwise. These hours have also shown me the importance of following the example of the soloist in the recital: 

Don't let an imperfect moment keep you from enjoying a perfect finish.

Chapel A Day-Day 13 (Hey, Will Somebody Get the Lights?)

"Here, let me turn on some light for you!" she said as we walked into the dark but lovely St.Mary's Episcopal Church. The historic church sits in the heart of downtown Milton, Florida. It's a small, quaint all-American city that makes you think of baseball, apple pie and Mayberry. 

"No, really, this is fine!" I replied, wanting to sit quietly in the empty church with only the muted sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows. I had tried to visit it once before, but because it was late in the day, the building was locked, and I found myself in the courtyard instead. (See Day 3 here: Day 3: Now, Why Am I Here?)

As I did on that first trip, I gave thought to how many people shared space on these very pews over the past 100+ years. I thought about all of the baptisms, weddings, and funerals that had taken place here.  

I took in the exquisite stained-glass windows. It was a sunny day and I took note of the way the sunlight made the colors even more brilliant. And, then, because no bolt of inspiration had zapped me yet, I took out my Bible and began to read the passages I'd laid out for the day. I am making my way through the Book of Psalms. Today, I was up to Chapter 36... and looky here. 

Verse 6: "For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light, we see light."

Now, what was it the lady who let me into the church said? Oh, yes. 

"Here, let me turn on some light for you."

Then, just like every other visit to every other chapel during this Lenten season, the "light" bulb went off and I knew why I was here at this chapel on this particular.. sunny... day. 

Like many of you, I'm sure, I try to always look for the positive side of the day, the situation, the people I encounter, situations that come about. Like many of you, I'm sure, the darkness of certain situations often seems to snuff out the light. The darkness of illness, uncertainty, change... loss... can be overwhelming.

My studies during the season of Lent the past few years have taught me that even though the dark times of life are strong and painful, those dark times are never stronger than the Light. Like many of you, I'm sure, there are times when I don't have enough energy to produce my own light. What I learned in today's Chapel-A-Day time, is that  Psalm 36:9 tells me that we don't have to. 

Psalm 36:9 might be worded another way--



 "Here, let ME turn on some light for you." 

Chapel A Day- Day 12 (Wait- It's Not About Me? Really?)

She was standing outside the hospital chapel. She had a worried look on her face. I smiled at her and simply said, "Hello!"  Her worry lines turned into a smile. She replied, "Hi, there!" straightened her shoulders and walked away.. down the hall..toward the hospital exit.

I watched her walk away, then I entered the chapel at Pensacola, Florida's  Baptist Hospital. 

It was very dim. The cross, the Bible and the altar at the front of the room immediately caught my attention. I walked to the front, deposited my bible and devotionals on the front pew, and knelt at the small wooden rail altar.

As I have found myself doing many times during this Chapel-A-Day journey, I asked "Why am I here? Why this chapel on this day?" I continued with my hour of prayer and devotional time. The time spent here was satisfying and peaceful, but not especially enlightening or exciting. 

"Well, that's okay," I thought. Not every spiritual venture has to include a mountain-top moment. But, the nagging question stayed with me. "Why am I here?"

As I sat in the pew, retracing my steps, I recalled the hospital employee who stood outside apparently waiting for her ride at the end of her shift. I caught her eye, smiled and said "Hello." She smiled in return and then kept smiling as she turned her attention back to the road. As I entered the lobby, I saw the lady at the reception desk, looking distracted and tired.  I smiled, said "Well, good evening! Can you tell me where the chapel is located?" She turned her attention from her computer screen, smiled broadly and gave me spot-on directions, even standing up to point the way. There was the couple in the hallway on the way to the chapel, discussing the serious condition of the person they'd come to visit. I simply looked them in the eye and smiled as I passed by. The smiled in return.. then turned and smiled at each other and grabbed hands.

Then, I thought, "Guess what, Drexel? Sometimes it's not about you. Maybe, just maybe.. today you were led to the chapel in this hospital not because of something YOU needed, but because there were a few people here who needed someone to look them in the eye.. and smile. They didn't need a motivational speech, or a sermon, or a blog entry to read. They just needed a smile."

Have you ever wondered why you cross paths with the people you see each day? Whether strangers or someone  you know, maybe... just maybe... there's a very important reason you run into these people. Maybe they need your encouragement. Maybe they need your help. Maybe they need your ear.. or shoulder. Maybe they just need your smile.

The Apostle Paul repeatedly tells us to "encourage one another." The lesson for me in today's Chapel-A-Day journey is to remember that it's not about me. It's all about HIM.. and that means, in part, being aware of what I can do to show Him to others.. sometimes by making someone else's day better, brighter, easier---and it may just start with a smile.

Chapel A Day- Day 11 (Chasing Peace)

"This is definitely not a chapel," I think to myself as I sit in quite possibly one of the most beautiful and elegant churches along the Gulf Coast. The word 'chapel' brings to mind (at least to my mind) a small country church, or a small room within a church that is set aside for more private worship.

Trust me on this one. There is nothing small about the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.  

At its highest point, the ceiling is 60 feet and its twin towers are 103 feet tall. The stained-glass windows (made in Munich, Germany) are 23' tall and are breathtakingly beautiful. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the cathedral stands tall and proud in the heart of downtown Mobile, Alabama. 

Although not a Catholic, I have spent many hours in this church meditating, praying and shutting out the world for at least a few moments in time. Even before this Lenten Chapel-A-Day odyssey began, I would seek out an open sanctuary from time to time for a spiritual refueling stop. It's not easy to find churches that are open during the weekdays. I learned that the Cathedral is open daily-- for tours, for a noon mass for Roman Catholics.. and simply as a place of prayer and spiritual reflection for all-- including this Protestant who finds the church a place of comfort, a place of enlightenment, and a place of peace.

One of the scriptures in my chapel-time this week comes from Psalm 34: "Seek peace and pursue it." (verse 14) I've read that verse many times. I've highlighted it and underlined it. But this time my eyes focused on one.. very small... word.

"Pursue."

Pursue. The definition includes the synonyms: persist, hunt... and chase.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a huge fan of keeping the peace. But, for me, that typically means a passive action-- mediating a disagreement (when asked) between other people; walking away from a touchy situation; smiling when I want to scream! 

This one...very small... word presents me with a challenge to examine my efforts at 'keeping the peace."  How can I become more effective in creating an atmosphere of  peace in the world around me? How can I "chase" peace in order to create a better environment and better relationships--- for my family, my friends, my community and my world?

Truth is---I don't know just yet. Like this majestic cathedral in which I sit, constructing a plan for peace is a huge undertaking...even on a small, personal scale. 

But, it's something I intend to think about in the coming days. 

In no small measure.

A Chapel A Day- Day 10 (That Navy Spirit)

One of the bravest men I've ever met is retired Navy Lt. Cmdr  Ralph Gaither. As a young US Navy pilot, Gaither was shot down over Vietnam and spent more than 7 years as a prisoner of war in what became known as the "Hanoi Hilton." He wrote a book about that nightmare. It is entitled, "With God in a POW Camp." If you ever have the opportunity to get your hands on a copy of this book, do it.

On Day 10 of my Chapel-A-Day Lenten blog series,* I thought about my friend Ralph as I sat in the All Faiths Chapel aboard NAS Pensacola.  I thought about the many men and women who have served on this base through the years...who sat in these pews, looking to the ultimate Commander in Chief for their guidance, direction and strength. As someone who is unabashedly patriotic, I gave thanks to God for their service and for their dedication to our country, the United States of America. 

I sat in the front pew, and slowly took in every aspect of the chapel---the baptismal font, the altar, the cross, the beautiful stained-glass depiction of Jesus---the American and Navy flags...

...and the eagle.

Ya' know.. it's not every day that you find a statue of an eagle in a chapel. But, as the national emblem (since 1782), and in a chapel on a base where flying is as much a part of life as breathing... it seems appropriate.

I began to look up scriptures about eagles. One of the most-quoted comes from the Old Testament book of Isaiah: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

I thought about LCDR Gaither. As a Navy pilot, he'd flown higher than any eagle has ever flown. But, when he was shot out of the sky... on a heroic mission that earned him the Silver Star, The Legion of Merit and The Flying Cross Awards (among others)...he had to wait. 

For a very long time. 

As he told me, there was only one Source that renewed his strength---and helped him walk and not faint.

Today's chapel time reminded me that we should cherish the wonderful days when we are strong and bold and soaring high above the troubles of the world! And, on those days, we should give thanks to the One who helps us spread our wings and fly!

Today's chapel time also reminded me that on those days when we are shot out of the sky---there is a promise. A promise for renewed strength and a better tomorrow!

*During the season of Lent, I have decided to spend an hour a day in a chapel or church sanctuary in a quest for spiritual growth. If you'd like to read more about that, you can begin with the first blog in the series here: http://drexelgilbert.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-chapel-day-my-40-day-journey-into-lent.html