A Slower Pace…
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability – and that it may take a very long time.”
–Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
The summer invites a slower pace and an opportunity for an answer we’ve been seeking to reveal itself. Divine distractions like vacations and frolicking in the water can sometimes reveal the kind of clarity we seek in times of silent reflection.
An Eremos friend gave me the Teilhard de Chardin quote above 3 years ago when we were still in shock at our founder’s passing and wondering what direction Eremos might go in (see full quote below).
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, the Board of Directors is once again reflecting upon the future of Eremos, envisioning our community 5, 10, or even 25 years from now. Our Sunday afternoon Board Retreat this past weekend yielded some new ideas to blend with our rich traditions.
We’re now taking advantage of summer spaciousness to allow time for us to sit with our ideas and let changes and next steps be revealed. What have you been considering that would benefit from the gift of time this summer?
May you find ways to embrace the slower pace of summer, trusting that what needs to be revealed, be completed, or begun will occur exactly when it’s supposed to.
P.S. We would love to hear if you have ideas about how Eremos might evolve in the next 5 – 25 years. See below for the questions we pondered.
The Slow Work of God
“Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability – and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you, your ideas mature gradually – let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.”
A Vision of Eremos:
Eremos is a community without walls providing a sacred space where people of all faith traditions and diverse backgrounds step back from daily life to behold the mystery of God dwelling within.
From the intimacy of this communion, people experience a sense of peace and oneness that empowers them to live and love others more fully.
Visioning the Future of Eremos: Below is the invitation we shared with Board Members this past weekend. We invite you to join us in envisioning our future.
Imagine fully surrendering into the heart and mind of God…if there was no limit on budget or time, what do you sense, see, hear, or feel God is calling Eremos to become for the Austin community and beyond?
Step outside the box of what has been and currently is for Eremos – Where is Spirit Calling Eremos?
Please share your ideas with Dianna Amorde, Executive Director HERE, or Kathleen Davis, Board President HERE.
