Life

Andrew Watson: 'There's more to life than meets the eye'

Take time to listen carefully to the 'voice inside' that reminds us of that which is for now unseen, says Andrew Watson

Rev Andrew Watson
Rev Andrew Watson Rev Andrew Watson

SURREAL - I think that might be the word to describe a recent experience I had; not, perhaps, in a strict art sense, just a slightly bizarre combination of things.

Parking in the city is always a challenge. On this occasion it had made me late for a funeral service.

When I arrived the service was already started. Not wanting to walk in and possibly distract the mourners who were settled to listen to the eulogy, I found a seat in the foyer where I could hear - though not see - the speaker.

I found myself looking out into a reasonably busy street with no shortage of vehicles and pedestrians.

People walking dogs, students on bicycles, a builder's lorry trying to squeeze through a narrow entrance between parked cars.

The noise they made was distant and muffled, unlike the speaker's voice which was crystal clear as he eloquently paid tribute to someone who had apparently been a close friend for almost 60 years.

His talk was well-prepared and beautifully delivered, warm-hearted and humorous in places.

There's a world outside our own small drama, intense as that may be. There are others with joys and sorrows, needs and aspirations. We do well to give all necessary attention to the bigger picture

The deceased gentleman had obviously been a colourful character. The words being spoken conjured pictures of boating, biking and climbing mountains with family and friends and also prompted serious thoughts on life and death, example, legacy and faith.

Outside, workmen were unloading a wheelbarrow and bags of cement. At the bus stop across the road a man stretched and yawned while a lady in a floral dress seemed animated, chatting on her mobile, her voice cut off by the heavy glass.

It was like watching a movie with the wrong soundtrack.

Two worlds right beside each other, not unrelated, but each oblivious of the other. Both real, just focused on different things, presently unaware of reality outside of their own limited sphere.

It seemed to illustrate an old cliché: "There's more to life than meets the eye."

There's a world outside our own small drama, intense as that may be. There are others with joys and sorrows, needs and aspirations. We do well to give all necessary attention to the bigger picture.

But if we listen carefully there's also a 'voice inside', a voice of wisdom and truth that reminds us of that which is for now unseen.

It both comforts and challenges, counselling us to remember our days are numbered and our lives witnessed by our Maker. We are surely foolish to doubt or neglect these deeper issues.

An older King Solomon concludes his reflection on life in Ecclesiastes 12 by urging us to "Remember our Creator" while we have the opportunity - and to obediently trust the one who will one day judge all people everywhere.

Rev Andrew Watson is minister of the Presbyterian congregations in Dunfanaghy and Carrigart in Co Donegal. He is a chaplain at Letterkenny Institute of Technology and blogs at wordsurfers.com