Bus Stop Connections
Ben Smith of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:15, 17-18
The pulse of the city beats as the streets are pounded with feet, none too discreet in their pursuit of success.
Ears covered, eyes down, looking into a world all too far from where their bodies are, these rows of souls line up at the bus stop; voices silent, fingers and thumbs glancing at story and text yet not knowing the reality next to them.
What is happening beneath the headphones? How can plastic and wire be separating us with a force stronger than a human smile?
The fences we build are not made from bricks and mortar any longer. No, now they are built from a much stronger material: apathy.
When wireless makes us ask “why?” less, how do we wonder more and not be unfulfilled without an answer?
Has human endeavor and the addiction to knowing eroded our ability for deep connection to things of the Spirit? The beauty of mystery?
When we live with a question, something within us changes the way we approach life. Suddenly it’s no longer a race to some ever-moving finish line. It becomes a way of life that smooths over concerns, able to roll through problem and tragedy and find peace and meaning within a tree and its branches.
How can we become more connected?
By becoming disconnected!
Prayer Phrase
“Attention is the beginning of devotion” (Mary Oliver).
Spiritual Practice
Holy Attention
Spend a few moments paying attention, wherever you are. Notice your surroundings. What draws your focus? Look more closely at detail and color. Notice what pulls or prods within you. How is the God-in-all-things speaking to you through what you see and feel right here, right now?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
