Here in our Friends Meeting room, we have a little sign with
just three simple and, in my view, profoundly spiritual words found on maps all
over the world:
“You are here.”
Those words apply wherever we are, of course. When we are in this room, they are true at
least in a physical sense. We strive to be
here mentally, as well – though I confess I did just take an involuntary nap!
But
the main thing is that, of all the places we could be – including in wholesome
and nourishing reflection alone elsewhere, in the loving company of others
elsewhere, in the service of others elsewhere – it is here in this hour we come
to be in both spirit and fellowship. We
come to hold the door open, so to speak, for others who may wish to join
us. We come to be with others, and to contribute
to others, in a safe place for exploring, sharing and restoring the spirit
within each of us. And, when we rise at
the end of the meeting hour and hold hands in closing silence, we can have what
for me is the experience of being here,
each hand holding a hand of Jesus.
