WHEN THINGS AREN'T RIGHT
an active meditation
You may have decided to do this retreat because there is something that needs sorting out between you and God, or something may have come to mind during the earlier contemplative meditation which you would like to dwell on more.
Lamentation
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day. Genesis 1:31
Looking around us we can see that things are no longer ‘very good’. Indeed, there is much that we know is wrong, but it often seems we are stuck and cannot bring about change. Think of something that you consider to be unjust in life, but that you feel powerless to change. It might be something personal to you, or something affecting a friend or loved one. It could be something you see in the world around you.
Take a sip of your drink of water, then slowly and carefully pour a little out (but not all of it). Allow it to drip and fall onto the ground, watch it soak in and seep away.
Sometimes our cries and prayers can feel like this – as though they are just drops of moisture in a desert having no effect, we can feel let down, frustrated even angry, that God doesn’t fix something we can see is blatantly wrong. There is no easy solution, we live with the tension of an imperfect world. Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of perseverance to keep lamenting without giving in to despair.
Confession and Repentance
If we are honest we know that much wrong in life is because of our own behaviour.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right,
but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15
Sin is a bit like litter, there’s usually some lying around in a corner. The odd bit might not bother us, but it could be damaging someone or something else, and if it builds up, it smothers good and beauty. Look around you for some litter. Pick it up, bring to mind a particular sin you are aware of and pray:
I confess that I have sinned in thought, word and deed,
through what I have done, and what I have left undone.
I have not loved you with my whole heart.
I have not loved my neighbours as myself.
In your mercy forgive what I have been,
help me to amend what I am, and direct what I shall be;
that I may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, my God.
adapted from Common Worship (Church of England)
Thankfully because of Jesus we know all sin can be forgiven. Find a bin to put the litter in (or take it home to dispose of). Then using some more of your water pour some out on your hands to wash them clean of any dirt from the litter and symbolically from the wrong doing you have just confessed.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8
Putting things right – a new beginning
Often we stop at the point of receiving forgiveness, but the Old Testament had a policy of ‘making restitution’ or putting things right.
When a man or a woman wrongs another, breaking faith with the Lord, that person incurs guilt and shall confess the sin that has been committed. The person shall make full restitution for the wrong, adding one-fifth to it, and giving it to the one who was wronged. Numbers 5:6-7
Spend a moment to consider an action you could take to help to ‘put things right’, make a note so you don’t forget when you get back home.
As a symbol of putting things right take the pips/stone from the fruit in the first meditation, if the ground is damp enough from where you earlier poured out water in lamentation and washed your hands clean to symbolise forgiveness, and it’s a suitable spot, then press the pips / stone into the earth. If it’s not a sensible place, find somewhere you can plant your pips / stone and water with the last of your drink.
Ask God for new life to blossom, and a new beginning to grow.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. Isaiah 35:1
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At the end of this short time of retreat you might like reflect further on anything that has been particularly meaningful or caught your attention. Offer your thoughts and feelings to God in prayer.
God grant me the compassion to see through your eyes,
the humility to own my failings and the joy of knowing your love.
Through your blessings, may I bless others,
that together we may glimpse your coming kingdom. Amen.