Waiting at Copenhagen

Last night the evening program at St. Alban's was an Advent study group talking about the theme "The Meaning is in the waiting." Apparently it is the title of a book, but I didn't get a good look at that. Our conversation quickly brought the theme of waiting to bear on our experience at Copenhagen.

Some residents are waiting with a sense of dread, placing sandbags in front of doors to minimize damage in case of riots.

Some are waiting with a tremendous sense of hope and anticipation.

We spend time each day waiting in silence, holding up the fearful, the outspoken, the leaders and those who are getting swept up in the events happening around us. Yesterday we visited the Klimaforum, the non-governmental organizations' parallel event to the official COP15 talks. The Klimaforum filled my heart with joy as we walked among the exhibitors. Obviously there is technology for living more harmoniously on the earth: we learned how to make biogas, learned the benefits of different agricultural techniques, looked at different ways people deal with waste, energy, and housing challenges. It is possible to live differently and have a beautiful life.

We also met an array of people from different religious traditions: Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian. There are many more. They are spiritual activists. Citing the different traditions, they create a moral voice, integrating the spiritual paths of the world's people with the survival of the world. Spirituality is concerned with living day to day, inculcating daily spiritual practices to keep our conscious contact with God strong. Finding the connection between what we believe and how we behave moment by moment is the call to integrated living. It is the blessing of shalom.

So we are waiting so see what will happen. Will the talks be successful? More immediately, will the voices of youth, minorities, the poor get heard?

Will there be violence? We can wait with anxiety or we can wait with acceptance. I find it
is important to recognize their are many aspects of this experience I have no control over. But I can make myself and the people around me miserable in the way I live moment by moment. So I keep on jogging, keep on praying, trying to stay fit for
all that is happening in the present moment.

This is my prayer: Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace.