Home after a 48 hour retreat for Staff and Students of the Vicar School... as the person with overall responsibility for making it happen, it isn't especially relaxing, but it is full of beautiful scenery, tranquil surroundings and spaces in which it is just about possible to do a little bit of reflection!
The centre where we stayed has a community garden - more like an allotment really, with glass houses, a potting shed, a small arboretum/orchard and lots of fruit and vegetables being grown.
On the first morning, I wandered up to take a look - and gate was locked with a chain and combination lock... a firm 'no entry' message. I was sad to think that in such an idyllic location it might be necessary to control access in this way. The second morning, taking a different route, I came to another gate, with an unlocked padlock, dangling chain, and a simply rope loop to hold the gate closed. Passing through it, and pulling the gate to, I was able to enjoy a meander (discovering that the first gate was also now unlocked) before making my way t place where the gate stood slightly ajar (photo).
I found myself wondering lots of things then, and more since...
What is the gate that God has left lightly ajar, inviting me/you/us/others to step through it and discover what lies beyond - whether in the confines of the bounded community garden, or the openness of the untamed landscape beyond?
What are the padlocks that I/you/we/the church use to keep our metaphorical 'community garden' safe from unwanted visitors who just might trample the plants or steal the produce? What might happen if we left the padlocks off, and took the risk of allowing unfettered entry to our precious and beautiful gardens? What if God is calling us to do just that?
Tomorrow the Railway Town Baptist Church Community Garden will be officially opened by the Town Mayor. A lot of hard work has gone into creating something that will be beautiful, and can become a venue for different gatherings, as well as a space premises users can enjoy. There are good reasons for the street gate to locked when it isn't in use - but I hope and pray the we will play our part in enabling it to be open and accessible for more than 'just' planned and curated events...
Perhaps it could be open on Sunday afternoons as a prayer space...
Perhaps local schools or groups could visit, enjoy the space and maybe do activities...
Perhaps it might link to other activities...
May God grant us the courage and the willingness to leave the metaphorical gate unlocked and even ajar, that others may come in, and we may venture out.