Going Home to God

After traveling through a sleepless night, in a barely big enough seat, we landed in Glasgow, Scotland. The next several hours were an up-close-and-personal bus ride on roads that were not wide enough for a minicooper, nevermind two buses heading in opposite directions.  Time and time again, we were queued up, waiting for vehicles to cross a small bridge, or to back into a cut-out on the side of the road to give right of passage to our mammoth bus. With every hairpin turn came the wonder of awestruck eyes, enjoying waterfalls, lochs, mountains, lonely dwellings nestled into the landscape, and mountainous seascapes never seen before.  Wheels rolled down the hillside, entering a small fishing community on Scotland's amazing coast: Oban.

Two if by sea: the next three legs of our journey consisted of two ferry trips and a fabulous trek across Scotland's Isle of Mull.  One of the concerns amidst us was the weather.  Since our arrival, we experienced misty rain. From Oban to Mull, we quickly learned that even when the weather clears, wait two minutes and it will change again.  In the distance, portside, what is that!?  As far as the eye can see, pastures: with a lonely castle rising off the island's outermost tip. 

Our second ferry trip was not as interesting as the first, probably due to the fact that it was only a wee-bit of a voyage, a mile at most.  As we disembarked the ferry, onto the Isle of Iona, we were greeted by residents, as well as a trip back in time, to a place where God, community, hospitality and kindness are the pillars of life. Unknown to me, my journey was about to begin. 

The Isle of Iona inspired yet another journey--inward. Was it prayer, song, community, ancient Celtic crosses, the Abbey? Iona's whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts. Worship is an integral part of everyday life, apparent in the noticable absence of the word "Amen" to end morning prayer service, allowing worship to be woven with the day's work.

There is a strong sense of the presence of God on Iona and also an essence of connectedness between God and the island. This connection can be felt throughout the island's untold sacred locations.  One in particular was  a rock circle erected over 1500 years ago, where 50 of us sat in silence for 3 minutes, together, yet somehow alone with God. We could have sat there, all of us, all day, without saying a word. I think we all experienced quintessential connectedness with God for those three minutes of reflection. Speaking in silence, I thanked Phuong and Reverend Ron for bringing me along on this awe-inspiring journey. The Isle of Iona, where all are welcome, is a piece of heaven on earth.  A place known as thin, taking me home to God.  -- Tim Connolly