When Observers Become Participators

On last night’s news…

…A hot air balloon landed in a residential area of Bedford. Many local residents looked on in disbelief, enjoying the unexpected afternoon’s entertainment. Others grabbed the guide rope and helped it to land safely. Some were observers; some chose to get involved.

…In sport – the ‘100’ tournament in cricket, the women’s rugby world cup, the American open tennis, the football season… There are participators – skilled, well-paid, active; there are observers opinionated, paying, inactive. There are the ‘experts’, the pundits, often ex-participators, well-paid, now inactive.

…Civilians from Ukraine and Gaza were interviewed. Many started as observers of political unrest… they saw politicians and military forces actively participating in the conflict. Now they find themselves unwilling participators as the bombs fall and friends and relatives are killed…

…The Notting Hill Carnival, returns to West London for its 57th year. More than two million people will follow the three-mile parade with dancing, calypso, and steel bands…  diversity, colour and celebration. Participators have been planning for weeks; many observers will get caught up in the carnival and become participators.

I’ve just read Matthew 27, the narrative of Jesus crucifixion… There were participators – Jesus, Judas, Pilate, soldiers… Observers include citizens coming for bloodthirsty entertainment… Jesus’ delighted enemies… distraught, powerless, women, accepting but not understanding. Some who came as observers became participators… Simon’s forced to carry Jesus’ cross, Joseph takes Jesus’ body off the cross and buries Him…

Yesterday at church Mark preached on Psalm 121: ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?…’ He emphasised the repeated phrase: ‘The Lord watches over you,’ pointing out that God’s not as an inactive distant observer, but an active participator in our lives, travelling with us, guarding, guiding, providing for us.

Today, as I meet people, friends, family, I’m can be an interested observer, an opinionated critic, an entertained audience… or I can take the initiative and get involved, with compassionate care, reliable companionship, and become an active participator in their lives.