“The Power of Lingering”

“…his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”     Exodus 33:11

In my younger days, I took the historic narrow-gauge steam train from Durango to Silverton. It’s a spectacular ride that winds through forests and over streams of the rugged San Juan mountains of southeast Colorado! Using the word “spectacular” may indeed sell the journey too short—the gentle rocking of the cars, the clacking of the wheels, the clouds of steam wafting past, and the Rocky Mountain sunshine in harmony with deep blue skies overhead, envelopes your soul and brings life to your spirit! O man, it was epic!

Contrast this with today’s speed demons. Japan’s “Bullet train” carries you to your destination at a mere 200 mph, as does the French TGV train. In Italy, they employ the “Frecciarossa” which will carriage you along at 224 mph. The fastest passenger train at present is the Chinese “Shanghai Maglev” that will whisk you on your journey at a staggering 286 mph. I wonder: what do you see when you look out the window? It certainly will not tax your imagination to think that the scenery is pretty much a blur.

Not unlike the pace that many of us live our lives. We gaze out at the landscape, and many things are indiscernible because the pace we keep will not allow a clear view. And to be honest, we miss some things entirely. As I muse these thoughts with no small bit of self-reflection, I am more enamored with the concept of lingering. To “linger” is to stay in a place longer than expected, to be slow to leave or act, to persist in a state or location. It often implies a reticence to more on or even a deliberate “leisure” to one’s place.

Consider some acts of lingering found in Scripture:

Joshua lingered at a place called “the tent of meeting.” He and Moses would often go there together and even though Moses left to lead the rag-tag group of Israelites, Joshua stayed in the tent (Ex 33:11).

Enoch, we are told, “walked” with God. He didn’t run or sprint. His pace speaks to something leisurely and rest full (Gen 5:22).

Elijah “lodged” on the mountain. After a dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, the place of dramatic victory, Elijah finds himself on Mount Horeb (aka Sinai) utterly spent, terribly depressed, and running for his life. Here is settles down where he demonstrates a reluctance, even unwillingness to go further (1 Ki 19:9).

Mary of Bethany chose the better part of sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen intently to every word He said. You could say that she was almost mesmerized by Jesus’ presence (Lk 10:39).

Mary Magdalene stood frozen in place at Jesus’ tomb. She couldn’t bring herself to moving on to the next thing, because without Jesus there clearly wasn’t a next thing for her to be at. It’s no accident that she was the very first person to see the risen Christ (Lk 20:11-18)!

 There is tremendous power in lingering. The above characters (and many more not mentioned) teach us life-giving truths that influence both the nature and expression of our spiritual journey.

Mary of Bethany teaches us how to listen and learn. I’m discovering that the crazy pace life is a lot like sticking your head out the truck window barreling down the highway—can’t really hear so well. Lingering helps me listen.

Joshua teaches us how to revel in the presence of God. It is very fascinating to me that Joshua was so riveted to God that it was unthinkable to depart, even when a spiritual giant like Moses went on to other matters. I’ve said before and it bears repeating that some of the most meaningful times that Melody and I spend is simply sitting in each other’s presence; no rush, just “being.” Lingering extends the space for me to breathe deeply of God’s presence.

Enoch teaches us the value of intimacy. I get a picture in my mind of a couple in love, holding hands, strolling through the park together. Enoch shared this intimacy for years (maybe even centuries—crazy thought), walking with God. Lingering allows me the patience to practice this level of intimacy.

Mary Magdelene teaches us the necessity of comfort and hope. I stopped spinning on merry-go-rounds and amusement park rides long ago because they made me nauseous. Imagine how this woman felt at the prospect of her world spinning mercilessly out of control because the Master of her heart was murdered. It’s hard to catch your breath. Yet she lingered. And it was there in the lingering that she saw and hugged her risen Lord. Lingering instructs us in comfort and hope, no matter how dark the circumstance.

Elijah kindles our spirit with the truth of meaning and purpose. On the mountain he found afresh who God really was, and that God had indeed invited him to participate in kingdom projects beyond his wildest dreams. Lingering reminded him that he was a part of something way bigger than himself and was invited to renew that commitment. Lingering made this renewal possible.

 Get off the train at the next station. Take a walk at a very relaxed pace. Let your eyes see things that have been a blur. Let your ears hear things that have become muddled. Inhale smells that are sweet and fresh. Let your skin feel the gentle breeze, or the warmth of the sun. It’s time to linger.

 Blessings on the Journey,

Dewayne