Serendipity

So, here's the thing: I wanted to write about surprises, you know the ways in which Grace sometimes appears right before our eyes -- unsought, unexpected, but very enlightening, awe inspiring and peace-giving. As I thought about this the word "serendipity" came to mind. I thought I knew what the word meant, but wanted to make sure. So, I checked my tried and true American College Dictionary published by Random House in 1958.

I thought that the word 'serendipity' reflected gracious surprises somehow. I remember first coming across the word in my first pastorate in the mid-seventies. A brand new, progressive type of Bible study series was being produced by a group called Serendipity Press. This type of Bible study has become common place now, but it was quite innovative then. It started with some basic questions of what was happening in the text, followed by questions regarding our feelings about the text, then asking us to take the text to heart and apply it to our lives.

What I learned in checking out my dictionary was that the word 'serendipity' was coined by Horace Walpole, son of the 18th centry British Prime Minister, Robert Walpole. Besides being a part of the nobility, Horace was somewhat of an antiquarian. In his pursuit of things ancient he came across an old mythic tale from the Asian sub continent, "The Three Princes of Serendip." Serendip, as it turns out is an ancient name for the island of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka. According to Walpole's own correspondence on the subject the princes in the story “were always making discoveries, by accident and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of”. From these stories and the home of the princes Walpole coined the word.

I found an informative article online about all of this by Richard Boyle, entitled "The Three Princes of Serendip". Here's the link: http://livingheritage.org/three_princes.htm.

The upshot of all of this is that I think I may have been on a serendipitous journey in discovering the definition of the word. I'm no Sherlock Holmes with highly developed powers of observation and seemingly limitless knowledge. I don't have the wisdom of a Jeeves. Sitting under an apple doesn't spark my intellect like it did for Isaac Newtion to conceive of the scientific reality of gravity.

Likewise, I never before heard of Serendip nor of the Three Princes thereof, nor Horace Walpole, etc., etc. Although I neither ascribe to any high level of sagacity (acute mental discernment and keen practical sense), I can say that I found something for which I was not looking. And, I have learned about the context in which we can sensitize our mind, body and soul to the nature of life that life and nature can show us many seemingly miraculous things when we least expect them.

Jesus talked about having the "eyes to see" not just the weather but the "signs of the times", and about having the "ears to hear" not just intellectually taking in the words but taking the words to heart: changing the way we think, act and feel; changing our enitre worldview in fact. I think that Jesus was inviting us, imploring us to be open to all of the details of what's happening around us that point to the meaning of life within, between and beyond us.

I have often found myself in situations where I have experienced serendipitous moments. I travel to a meeting. I think of what's coming up on the agenda, whose going to be there, what my responsibilities are going to be, how long everything will take, what time I'll be able to get back home. I try to anticipate everything so that there are no surprises. But along the way, I have a chance conversation with someone that has nothing whatsover to do with the meeting, and I realize that this one conversation was the real reason not only for my attendance at the meeting but even for getting up that day.

So what's happening now for you, or for those we love, or for the world. In Zimbabwe a run-off election will be held to decide who will be the new President of the country on June 27. Common Global Ministries in cooperation with the World Council of Churches is asking for our congregations to unite in prayer and action this Sunday. Here is a link to the article on the Global Ministries website: http://www.globalministries.org/news/africa/prayer-and-action-for.html.

Here is a prayer for the people of Zimbabwe written by the Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.

Eternal God:
In your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of trial. We pray with and for Zimbabwe in this hour of national decision, and we ask your divine blessing on all the people of the land. May Zimbabwe's leaders seek justice by means that are just; May the voters take action to promote the common good; may international observers and mediators be guided by your wisdom. Lead us not into temptation, Lord, and deliver your people from evil: Empower us all to overcome anger, jealousy, division and violence; help us to respect one another despite our differences; and teach us the things that truly make for peace. This we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Many of our congregations are also scheduling annual meetings for this Sunday. Please keep these churches in your prayers: UCC Bayberry, First Congregational Church of Phoenix, and others of which I am not aware. The Central Square Community Church will be voting during their annual meeting this Sunday on whether or not to join the United Church of Christ.

The Conference Commission on the Global Church is meeting on Saturday. We'll be receiving reports, making plans. We also will be inviting a guest involved with a health clinic in Nicaragua. But what else will happen? What possibilities for mission will come to us that we didn't anticipate?

We hope and pray that the Holy Spirit may surprise us as we meet, as we pray, as we worship, as we go about our daily lives, with insights into who we are as congregations, as people of faith, as God's beloved children. With hearts and minds open maybe adversaries will be able to see each other in a new light. Maybe we will be able to listen to each other so that we can work out solutions to once insurmountable problems. Maybe we will find new possibilities where we had felt stymied by deadends.

Richard Boyle in his article quoted remembered that John Barth observed in his book, "The Last Voyage of Somebody the Sailor" (New York, 1991): "You don't reach Serendip by plotting a course for it. You have to set out in good faith for elsewhere and lose your bearings serendipitously."

I think that this is what Jesus meant when he said that we should seek God's realm and righteousness first then all of the matters of life over which we are anxious will be resolved (Matthew 6:25-35).

That is, as we do the right thing for all people; as we work for justice and promote liberty; as we work to end violence of thoughts, words and deeds non-violently; as we forgive and seek forgiveness; as we make these things part of our prayer life, our daily life, our public life, our national and international life; God's abundant mercy and love can overflow with all that we need.

As Jesus said, "Those with the ears to hear, let them hear." (Let the reader know that I'm also speaking to me, here!)

Blessings,

Rick Cowles