Game, Set, and Match

 

 

‘All things must pass
All things must pass away’

From the 1970 song ‘All Things Must Pass’ by George Harrison.

 

  

Well, what a Men’s Final that was at Wimbledon on Sunday!

As several have said on TV, radio, and in the newspapers, it seems to herald a ‘changing of the guard’. A new generation of players, spear-headed by (but not confined to) Carlos Alcaraz, is moving in on the territory which has for so many years been dominated by Djokovic (whom Alcaraz beat), Federer (who has now retired), Nadal (who was absent from Wimbledon because of injury), and Murray (who watched the match from amongst the crowd, having been knocked out in an earlier round).

The times, they are a-changing!

As I watched the match and especially when I reflected on its outcome, I thought back a couple of months to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland which was held in May, and which I attended as a Commissioner.

When I retired last year, I kept saying that I would also step back from all active involvement in the governance of the church. My reasons for so doing felt right, and I thought I was at ease with that resolution.

Except, when I was asked to consider being a Commissioner at this year’s Assembly, I said ‘yes’.

Why?

Nostalgia? Denial? Pride?

I’m not very sure.

But I do know that I have always been one of these strange Ministers who really enjoyed being part of the General Assembly, wanted to play my part in the governance of the Church, was eager to be involved, and so on. And, over the years, I have been privileged to have been able to have the opportunities that I have had to engage in these ways. It was not always easy, but it was generally very fulfilling and energising.

But, I will not go to the Assembly again.

To be honest, I had a niggling sense of unease in the weeks leading up to the opening of the Assembly. And when I was there, although I enjoyed my time, met up with folks I hadn‘t seen for a while, and even spoke in a debate (not an unusual occurrence for me, I’m afraid!), I won’t go back.

Times have moved on; the way of doing things has developed; there has been a changing of the guard; the folk whom I was used to seeing in key roles were conspicuous by their absence, while newer (younger) people were in key positions.

It felt odd.

Of course, things inevitably change, and people move on, and new folks take up roles. That is as it should be (and – for the record – I have all respect for those now serving in key positions, although perhaps less respect for some of the ways in which we now do things!)

But, along with all of that, I need to let go, I need to recognise that in this new season of life, I can best serve the church in other ways.

Game, set, and match!

And perhaps it is not just in terms of the General Assembly or the governance of the church that I need to continue to work at embracing this new season of my life, and working out just what it means for me.

All things must pass.