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On My Way
by Jim Kok, Director of Chaplain Services

As I came down the hallway in one of our communities, I caught up with a resident who was obviously working hard to get herself down the hall in her wheelchair. I thought perhaps she was trying to get to the activity room or to a beauty shop appointment, so I stopped to offer her a ride. But when I asked her where she was going, her response was to laugh and say, "I don't know." So we walked and talked together down the hall a ways, until she decided she was going to the activity room. It reminded me of a lyric to a song by Paul Simon, "I'm on my way, I don't know where I'm goin'; I'm on my way, I'm taking my time but I don't know where." I thought about how so much of Jesus' ministry took place while he was 'on the way'; although I think he knew exactly where he was going!

One of the significant lessons to be learned in working with senior adults is that no matter what our age we are all 'on the way.' There is not likely to be a time in life when we can truly say, 'I have arrived, I have learned all there is to know, I am finally home.' The apostle Paul, speaking to the Philippians, says that he wants "to know Christ and the power of his resurrection," but then makes it clear that this is an ongoing process, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)

I speak daily with seniors who still struggle with spiritual issues, people who are 'pressing on' to understand how God is working in their lives. Often it's not very clear to them, or to me, exactly where God is leading them. And, although I wish that I could provide all the answers to the tough questions, that's not really possible, and it may not even be helpful. What may be most helpful is what is stated so clearly in the Christian Living Communities mission statement, to "reflect Christian love, respect, and compassion, and to enrich the quality and dignity of life for each individual." In other words, we are called to walk with people, to encourage them, and to represent the loving, caring presence of God to them as they are 'on the way.'

When it comes right down to it, all of us are 'on the way' and we all need hope and encouragement in order that we might become the people, or the organization, that God calls us to be. So we 'press on' remembering and believing that Christ Jesus has taken hold of us so that we may serve one another.