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09/03/2016
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day Shirley Jenner, Lecturer at the University of Manchester.
Last on
Wed 9 Mar 2016
05:43
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Treasures in the Darkness
Good morning.
Recent business management writers have been emphasising the growing need for organizations to be resilient, to be ready to cope with system shocks and sudden change. According to one recent business review article - surprises are the new normal. Β But what about personal, human resilience?Β
Any major shock or unexpected change in life, is a challenge. This is because all change involves loss. Β Many Β models of adjustment to loss suggest a U shaped cycle with a low point at the centre. The theologian Walter Breuggeman refers to this painful period as dis-orientation.Β
Ideally, experience in the valley of dis-orientation is followed by an upward movement- positive adjustment to the new landscape, to a new orientation.Β
It is understandable why businesses, and families are keen to move people on quickly from loss to adjustment, from grief to coping. But it’s also important for grief to do its work. It’s only by going through grief that an individual can experience deep restoration, or discover dimensions to life previously hidden or unknown. Darkness may yield unexpected treasure. Β Maybe our familiar way of life has taken us off course? Perhaps our sense of purpose, or direction or faith have become eroded, lost.Β
Being thrown onto an unfamiliar course may be a catalyst to uncovering capacities in our selves we never knew were there- courage, strength, love? Β There an individual may discover new dimensions to a relationship with God, or depths in the self previously unknown.Β
Lord God. Draw close to those who suffer, grant them healing. May those who journey with them be a channel of your Peace and Grace. Β Amen
Recent business management writers have been emphasising the growing need for organizations to be resilient, to be ready to cope with system shocks and sudden change. According to one recent business review article - surprises are the new normal. Β But what about personal, human resilience?Β
Any major shock or unexpected change in life, is a challenge. This is because all change involves loss. Β Many Β models of adjustment to loss suggest a U shaped cycle with a low point at the centre. The theologian Walter Breuggeman refers to this painful period as dis-orientation.Β
Ideally, experience in the valley of dis-orientation is followed by an upward movement- positive adjustment to the new landscape, to a new orientation.Β
It is understandable why businesses, and families are keen to move people on quickly from loss to adjustment, from grief to coping. But it’s also important for grief to do its work. It’s only by going through grief that an individual can experience deep restoration, or discover dimensions to life previously hidden or unknown. Darkness may yield unexpected treasure. Β Maybe our familiar way of life has taken us off course? Perhaps our sense of purpose, or direction or faith have become eroded, lost.Β
Being thrown onto an unfamiliar course may be a catalyst to uncovering capacities in our selves we never knew were there- courage, strength, love? Β There an individual may discover new dimensions to a relationship with God, or depths in the self previously unknown.Β
Lord God. Draw close to those who suffer, grant them healing. May those who journey with them be a channel of your Peace and Grace. Β Amen
Broadcast
- Wed 9 Mar 2016 05:43Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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