Edgework

In recent years I have begun to explore “Celtic Spirituality.” Celts originated in Central Europe, but repeatedly were driven west and north from about 500 B.C. to 150 A.D., mostly by the Romans, into regions of present-day Ireland and Scotland.

When St. Patrick introduced Christianity to the Celts in 431 A.D. he found that their pre-Christian world view actually brought a degree of richness and freshness into Christianity. Roman Christianity, steeped as it was in Hellenistic philosophy, tended toward rational thought, propositional statements and prescribed experience – characteristics that became foundational to the “Western” world view. By contrast, Celtic Spirituality, as it developed outside of the Roman orbit, was more mystical in orientation.

In his review of the film, “A Thin Place: Iona and the Celtic Way,” Jim Friedrich discusses some of the major aspects of Celtic Spirituality: “Among them are a companionship with Jesus; a respect for imagination, poetry and art; a gift for intimacy with God; an emphasis upon the harmony among nature, the human community, and the unseen worlds; a reverence for earth; a delight in the art of pilgrimage; an honoring of the feminine; and an overall yearning to participate in the journey to wholeness.”

One unique aspect of Celtic Spirituality is the concept of “thin” places – “locales where the distance between heaven and earth collapse and we’re able to catch glimpses of the divine.” Scotland and Ireland have many such places which pilgrims from around the world visit regularly. Those who do are not saying that God cannot be known or experienced in other places but that going to such sites often opens doors to a deeper awareness of the divine in all of life.

Last spring, a good friend of mine, Gareth Brandt, visited Edgework Place, a rural retreat center I had been developing for about five years near La Broquerie. He told me he had recently visited one of the famous “thin” places in Scotland on the island of Iona. He described how stepping onto the island had felt like stepping into a holy place. It was, he said, as though you could reach out your hand and touch God. As we walked the forest trails at Edgework Place, Gareth suddenly stopped, turned to me and stated firmly and emphatically that this place could become such a “thin” place as well.

That thought has never left me. So as I introduce pilgrims to Edgework Place, I sometimes tell them to be aware that this is a “thin” place; that it might not take much to connect with the Divine during their visit.

A few weeks ago, Henry and Tina Redekopp stayed at Edgework Place for a time of prayer, fasting and rest. The only request I had of them was to pick potato bugs every day in the garden we maintain there. After they left, Henry sent me the following article, confirming for me that this place may, indeed, be thinner than I had thought.

Lessons From the Potato Bug (By Henry Redekop)

Jack asked if we would be willing to pick potato bugs off the plants once a day. We were happy to do so, and found that there were lessons we learned as we did.

The first time we picked we found well over two hundred bugs. This was gratifying since we were able to make a difference. That same afternoon we returned and found only about half that number. Interestingly, we began questioning our thoroughness. As the week progressed and we picked bugs twice a day, the bug population became less and less. By week’s end we found less than 20 bugs per picking. Not only were there fewer, but they also weren’t as obvious. Towards the end we were digging through the leaves for the bugs.

We learned some valuable lessons in this. Finding the bugs on the potato plants required us to examine the plants. In the same way, finding sin in our lives requires us to examine ourselves. Naturally we start with the obvious, but as we deal with issues in life, we have to start digging deeper and being more intentional.

As with finding bugs, some of our habits and sins are nicely tucked away or hidden under a leaf, and therefore require a more deliberate search.

We also observed that picking the bugs is not the “normal” or popular method of pest control. Typically we would spray our plants and at best rid 90% of the bugs; thus sparing the strongest 10%, thereby strengthening the breed. This method ensures quick results with minimal personal involvement.

Herein lies a great lesson. When dealing with sin or temptation, we are often quick to apply this method of sin control – that is quickly removing the obstacles of our struggle; TV is removed, internet is cut off, movies are banned. But the issues in the heart are ignored – somehow supposing that removing the “90%” will heal the “10%”. How modernly twisted this is.

While we slowly and carefully examined the plants we realized that we were ridding the garden of the bugs that were laying eggs, thereby getting to the source of the problem, which in turn slowly reduced the plague. We also realized that we were involving ourselves in the life of the garden and taking time to draw life lessons from it.

What a great way to deal with sin, bad habits, and areas of struggle in our lives, as well as helping others. Pesticides take out personal involvement, whereas picking calls for personal engagement. This is what happens when we take time to evaluate, and, rather than removing obstacles, start training, learning accountability, and growing in strength to resist or refrain.

Picking potato bugs has challenged me to take more time to observe what is happening around me and find positive ways to engage in growing a healthy personal involvement; to leave room for God to speak to my heart and to teach me new things in all areas of life.