Encouraging One Another

Last summer as I walked along the Camino de Santiago I was grateful for many companions.  First, there were the four women with whom I was walking. Each day we paired off based on our pace and our souls. Many times I chose to walk behind in solitude. Yet, I was thankful after several hours of silence that someone was there to walk together again. Then new companions crossed my path each day, most for only a few minutes or an hour. There was one woman we ran into four or more times over our week-long pilgrimage who changed the tenor of our journey. Finally, there were the people back home praying who were supporting me in so many ways.

This entire community was essential to the journey. For the bumps in the road – veering off the path, rain, blisters – companions were present to help with the struggle. When loneliness started to creep into my thoughts, I was able to see my companions walking a few steps ahead and remember others in my life. Sometimes it took me a few steps or even miles to move out of these musings. But, the presence of this community helped me see beyond myself and re-center on God.

Who are your companions along the scholar’s journey?  

I don’t know about you, but these past few months have seemed like scholars and others on college campuses are required to forge a new path. On top of the work scholars are already carrying, they now have a new sense of uncertainty: questions around funding and jobs; responses of grief and anger. If you’re writing a thesis or in the throes of a research project, it can be difficult to just finish. Add these other anxiety-provoking realities, and it can seem impossible to take the next step.

Many parts of the scholar’s journey can be transitory – one or two years in a postdoc – and another year or two in a lecturer position. With the need to learn the ins and outs of your lab or library and everything in between, building community can be low on your task list. However, as with walking the Camino, a community along our life journey is essential, whether we are scholars or not.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote about strengthening our relationship with God and with one another.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  – Hebrews 10:23-25

What does community look like for you in these times?

I understand that it’s not easy to find or stay with a group of people. It takes work. I’ve found myself wanting to give up often. But lately, I’ve found a few self-evident reminders helpful.

• Invite one person in your circle to share coffee
• Text a friend you haven’t seen in a while
• Reach out to someone new in your department
• Try out that group at church

In all this, assume a perfect companion or group does not exist. Along the Camino, I found myself wanting a friend from home to show up. Then I could complain or share a story only they would get. But I was often surprised that the person with whom I didn’t want to stop and talk had an encouraging word. I was learning that the sacred community essential to the journey wasn’t something I could shape. Instead, I needed to be awake to the gift of community.  First in the presence of our Trinitarian God – as well as in God’s image residing in each person.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together:

“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”

Do you have ideas about building a community along the scholar’s journey? I’d love to hear what has worked for you – as well as practices you would like to try.