Colossians 2:2 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
This is part of our purpose on Mission Navajo. So far we have encouraged others and been greatly encouraged ourselves. A group of 4 Mission Navajo Prairie Ridge men headed out to the Tologhi area (which means White Water in Navajo) to assist Rev. Gardner in chopping firewood to deliver to 3 families in the congregation who greatly need this wood to heat their homes. A local family joined in to help, as well as Alvin-who was passing by on foot to Navajo, New Mexico. It was collaboration!
Our men headed out at about 11:00a.m.-this is a complete estimate of the “time” they arrived. We know the sun had just risen when they arrived and it was before lunch. So, we will settle on 11a.m. The concept of “time” is completely different here. It’s not about clocks, deadlines, agendas, or calendars- it’s about living each moment while completing the tasks you need to without the rush or anxiety about doing it in sync with the clock. Mark, a member of Window Rock Reformed Church and dedicated to keeping the Navajo traditions explained that time in modern society is linear-once we pass an event, we can never go back, therefore we stress to meet deadlines and have mid-life crisis’. Time in Navajo is circular-you can focus on your task and complete it when you complete it. It’s ok if you miss an event because the sun will rise again for you to finish it.
I really experienced this yesterday, in a conversation with Mary Anne, a Navajo native and woman of God. “I wake up each morning, go outside, and ask God to bless this day and give us strength to do our chores,” she said, at one point in our conversation. Our conversation lasted for six hours. I met her in the afternoon and we talked until the sun had been set for a long time. We talked about her life, her faith, and her traditions. She grew up on the Reservation. When she was a young girl, her family was sheep herders. They traveled where the sheep went. She walked with me through the vast landscape, and pointed to rocks and told me their names. She pointed to areas her family lived and traveled through each season. In our conversation, I had no concept of time. We connected. We encouraged one another. All I saw were her eyes. I learned from Sylvia, another Navajo native that the elders do not say many words yet you can hear their words by watching their facial expressions. I watched Mary Anne’s face and felt love- the love that is God’s purpose for us: 1 John 4:21 “And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
Yes-during the entire six hours the men were still chopping and our women had now joined in as well! In all honesty I was so captivated by Mary Anne that time slipped away. She is still on my heart at this moment. Thank you, God for being bigger than clocks and calendars! Thank you for uniting us in love!
Lindsay Johnson
No comments:
Post a Comment