Photo - Billabong – a place to contemplate (1)
A valid question for Pastors, Ministers and Theologians is - when contemplating the Cross of Christ - where might be a good place to be still for contemplation.
Where is it, that we might get away, reflect and gain insights. Indeed, what might be the best place to read my Bible?
The long experience of the divines (theological writers of the past), and one I have come to realise, is that 'bed' is not the ideal place for contemplation as the sense of sleep generally takes precedence. The lounge chair too fails the test on these same grounds.
Long walks, perhaps through parks or along a beach are proven arenas for reflection however it is a bit difficult to take your Bible or Theological reading along with you - or even if you have a lightweight copy, or even your iPad - you cannot read and walk without bumping into things, losing your way and completely losing the enjoyment of the scenery.
Some have found the office chair as ideal - the computer for research is available at one’s fingertips, along with favoured theology texts and the Bible.
Photo - Billabong – a place to contemplate (2)
Only a chair?
Not too long ago, I considered it necessary to replace my office chair and I found a multitude of options that left me reeling. After all, it's only a chair, I would have thought.
But no, it is not “only a chair.” One furniture office supply retailer in my local area at Tweed Heads told me the most expensive office chair that he could manufacture to a personal specification came with a $7,000 price tag.
I was astonished by the huge range of dimensions, ergonomics, appearance, comfort and flexibility of these seemingly everyday items.
Considering that this may well be my preferred place for contemplation, my personal wish list included: a very high back; a relatively light weight; effective castors making it easy to roll, simple-to-use height adjustment, and flexible back adjustment.
Having visited numerous retailers that sold such chairs, I was confronted with myriads of options, where I could have done with a solicitor to determine the veracity of the claims made for each chair; a doctor to ascertain the ergonomic claims of each chair; a policeman with a lie detector having listened to the sales people, and a fellow theologian to ascertain the reflective positioning of each chair.
The old adage that it pays to shop around was very true in my situation, as two retailers offered exactly the same chair: one at $599 and the other at $299.
Photo - Billabong – a place to contemplate (3)
Not any chair
But alas, when we bought a new hard wood kitchen table with similarly crafter high back timber chairs, I ordered another chair for my office which is perfect for me, and at an inexpensive price.
I now do my thinking and reflecting while sitting on my now not-so-new kitchen beautifully timbered high back office chair, harnessed in Biblical contemplation, and moreover enjoying the view from the window.
I’m imagining the great divines of ages past, in their creative meditation place, as they too, like me, pondered Christ on the Cross paying the cost of sin, and with His resurrection. as the solid rock guarantee for eternal life with Him.
Photo - Office chair
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
Dr Mark Tronson - a 4 min video
Chairman – Well-Being Australia
Baptist Minister 45 years
- 1984 - Australian cricket team chaplain 17 years (Ret)
- 2001 - Life After Cricket (18 years Ret)
- 2009 - Olympic Ministry Medal – presented by Carl Lewis
- 2019 - The Gutenberg - (ARPA Christian Media premier award)
Gutenberg video - 2min 14sec
Married to Delma for 45 years with 4 children and 6 grand children
