Walking the labyrinth at APTS--April 24, 2009

Friday, April 24, 2009 afternoon, Still Small Voice, the student group devoted to offering ideas, experiences, and discussions for spiritual practices, borrowed a 40-foot diameter portable labyrinth and placed it on the lawn between the chapel and the library. The wind blew, the clouds kept the sun from shining down too hot on us, and the birds sang to provide a peaceful setting for walking the labyrinth. Several of us started the path into the labyrinth around the same time. It was interesting how we walked at such varying paces that there was always room for each of us, in our space, to walk and ponder in silence and freedom. At one point, two came face to face, across a line, and spontaneously hugged each other and laughed. For my own part, I walked slowly, opening my mind and my heart to whatever God would provide.

When I reached the center clover, I decided to sit in each of the 6 six “leaves.” From my first seat, I looked at McCord, the building where we eat lunch together and where we studied Hebrew 8 hours a day in January. I thought about the seminary community, and how much I feel a part of it. From my second seat, I looked at McMillan, the building in which all of my classes, so far, have been held, and in which most of my professors have offices. Study is a big part of my life here. From my 3rd seat, I looked at the chapel. I attend chapel almost daily, worship was the class I was most passionate about last semester, preaching is the class that stirs me the most this semester. Worship calls to me. From the 4th seat, I looked at UT Austin campus. I remember, as an undergraduate there (many years ago) seeing the APTS campus. I thought it looked peaceful. I yearned to walk through the park and across the bridge on the lower campus, but I never did. I didn’t think I belonged here---then. From my 5th seat, I faced the library. I study there, in a carrel that looks out over the very lawn where the labyrinth was. Quiet, alone, study time has always been important to me. I am drawn to the library because of my past as a librarian, because I like quiet places, because I learned to love reading in an old library--The Brazoria County Library in Angleton, Texas. In the last seat, I faced the trees and parking lot between the seminary dorm and the Scottish Rite dorm. Am I in a parking lot right now? Getting my bearings? Making sure my vehicle is road-ready? Preparing for the adventure?

As I slowly walked out of the labyrinth, I reflected on the 6 views I had had. What a wonderful experience this labyrinth was!