The Journey Worth Taking

As I have been thinking about the importance of sharing our stories and listening to one another, I returned to one of my favorite Quaker books, Spirit Rising: Young Quaker Voices put out by Quaker Press in 2010.  A couple of my good F/friends were editors, compilers, and writers for this compilation of stories, poems, prayers from teenage and young adult Quakers from around the world.  

One of the main editors was Sue and my close friend, Sarah Hoggett.  Sarah currently serves as one of the co-superintendents for the new Sierra Cascades Yearly Meeting in the Northwest.  Also, Sarah is an accomplished poet.  A few years ago, Sue and I were asked to be readers and editors for one of her poetry books which was an absolute delight. 

As I was perusing Spirit Rising again, I came across Sarah’s poem, The Journey Worth Taking. I have found this poem speaking to my condition on multiple occasions.  Often, I have shared it at new member gatherings or even as part of worship, but it has always held a special place in my life. 

As I came across it once again, I was struck at how it speaks so well to what I have been sharing in my sermons during the month of August.  I share this beautiful poem as both a reminder and a challenge to us that the journey together is worth taking! 

The Journey Worth Taking 

By Sarah Katreen Hoggett

We come from far-off lands, 

cultures apart, struggling to

understand a foreign tongue,

another viewpoint, another way to live, 

to see, to hear God in different words. 

We listen, opening to new sights, perspectives, 

ways to love as we discover

we are unique parts of a greater circle,

distinctive expressions of the Divine Life. 

Yet our voices together lift up the mountains.

Our chorus pulses the river down the outward

flow into a world needing to hear the rushing tide. 

We are on a journey and it may not even 

matter so much where we end up,

but that we rise up to take the voyage.

We speak the truth of our lives,

hear each other and are changed. 

We can love without complete understanding, 

walking the light together when miles apart.

If in the tension we can find

the one light we are birthed from,

the thread through our stories, 

we may discover we are brothers, sisters all

of one skin, one laughter, music, lilting, free, 

if we can just find the courage to come together

and take the journey. 

May this be so.