Horizons

I suspect that none of us would like to be labelled as being 'narrow-minded', as it is closely associated with intolerance and bigotry and is a term we might well associate with individuals with whom we would not wish to be associated. However, the reality is that. while we may not be 'narrow-minded' we could all be a lot more 'broad-minded'. The horizons within which we live our lives are almost inevitably closer than they might be.
Part of this is naturally down to our mental and emotional capacities. In an increasingly global society we should consider the situation of others in far-flung parts of the world. The climate crisis, exacerbated most by the industrialised and consumer societies, is affecting people in the pacific islands due to sea levels, those in vast areas of the African continent, dependent on simple agriculture, due to worsening drought or flood. We need to, and perhaps want to, understand better these situations in order that we might find motivation to change our own lifestyles, yet it is impossible to put ourselves fully into another's shoes. 
The world around us constantly invites us to 'look beyond' what immediately presents itself to us. Standing on a cliff-top near Nefyn in Wales we have the touchable at our feet, but are invited by the wheel-tracks in the turf to view the distance whether that is the history of their origins, the rocky outcrop at the furthest point of land, the sea-horizon which takes our imagination around the oceans, the wind-blown clouds which tease thoughts of where they have come from and where they are going to, the blue sky which is a rather plain view of a complex universe and space more visible in the stars at night.
In the realms of faith the broader view is, in my view, also better. My ecumenical work in the church has enriched what I consider to be mine immeasurably. I am also aware that as soon as I feel I have God sussed I wander into the realms of idolatry, placing my belief above the God who, while being intimate with us through the life of Jesus, is always 'beyond' in a measure.
Some would counsel not looking too far ahead, as you may then trip up on what is at your feet, but in the greater economy of God I think I need to take in as much of the horizon as my mental and emotional capacities can handle, trusting that God is always more as well as being always near to prevent me tripping up.

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