During the past year, nearly all of us have experienced a
simplification of our lives. Family
schedules that were a frenzy of activity between school, recreation,
extra-curricular activities, extended family, and various tasks for care of
health and household business. Even for
those who did not experience the generous amount of down time others did,
because their careers actually intensified, their time became more focused on
that task as these other obligations became unavailable or unadvisable.
While I know many have found that simplification beneficial
as an opportunity to consider their priorities, and reorganize accordingly,
there is also a loss to be mourned in such circumstances, because intense focus
on safety has dramatically curtailed a vital aspect of our human existence, or
at least forced us to engage it in unconventional ways. That vital aspect is the cultivation of human
ability through such things as the arts and sport, by which we have the
opportunity to express our experience of life or appreciate the display of
ability found in others.
Cultures and religions throughout time and across continents
have recognized this display as a uniquely human activity, as we are able to
reflect on our experience, and hone our performance in a way not found in other
creatures. For Christians, our effort to
create in a way that builds beyond mere survival is understood to be a facet of
the image of God that is uniquely created in humanity.
As we build, design, perform, and compete, we are exercising
ability given by our Creator, and cultivating it in appreciation for His
goodness. As we enjoy the expression and
performance of others, we are able to appreciate His design for creation and to
be reminded of His gracious provision that exceeds merely sustaining basic life
and safety. Even under the most ideal
conditions, when we participate in these displays and disciplines, we may face
risk of injury, or even death, in the process, because the experience and
opportunity is of such value that we accept that risk.
In an eternal perspective, we also recognize that as St. Paul
said, “Whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)
The one who creates this ability and desire to exercise it within us is the
same one who gives His Son into death to rescue us, and while we may need to
exercise caution for a time, we recognize that even those things that are not
“essential” are a vital part of our nature to engage. Knowing this, we grieve at the deprivation of
something of great value, and we seek to preserve the framework to engage again
while we anticipate the day when our experience of this vital facet of our
experience of life will be restored.
