How Do We Find Our Somewhere?

There’s a place for us
Somewhere a place for us
Peace and quiet and open air wait for us
Somewhere…

Tony and Maria, deeply in love, dream of their ‘somewhere’ – the time and place that they can be together and all will be perfect…

How do we find our ‘Somewhere’? Some friends say, ‘If I win the lottery…’ Others talk of a ‘bucket list’ that will bring happiness… Experts in economics, education, health-care, politics, religion… give easy – often simplistic – answers to the difficult ‘Somewhere’ questions…

Last night a group of us, talking about Lent, were considering ‘fasting’ – not doing, or doing, something that’s radically different. A variety of stories were told… not putting sugar in tea… taking a particular app off the phone… establishing a new prayer routine… Habits were changed, benefits discovered and enjoyed. An initial lent ‘fast’ became a lifestyle change.

Sometimes to find our Somewhere we need to make a radical change.

This morning I read about Balaam. Of all the strange Bible stories this is one of the strangest. It includes invisible sword-holding angels that then become visible… a disobedient donkey that can see the invisible angel, and then talks… a professional prophet who beats and threatens to kill his talking donkey. Yet, through it all, there were – and are – lessons to learn.

Sometimes to find our Somewhere we need to consider the apparently bonkers.

West Side Story ends with Tony shot, and Maria broken-hearted. Then, together, Jets and Sharks, the rival gangs who had been at war, come together to carry Tony’s body away. Tony’s death brought them together… Maria and Tony didn’t find their ‘Somewhere’… but a new united ‘Somewhere’ has been found.

Someday, somewhere
We’ll find a new way of living
Will find there’s a way of forgiving
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere

And I’m reminded of the one who died to bring about reconciliation, to bring together those who would otherwise be enemies…

Sometimes, looking for our ‘Somewhere’, we discover a new, unexpected ‘Somewhere’ that’s more profound and lasting.