Not just physical space, but mental, spiritual and emotional space. It seems such a rare and unexplored commodity, it could be seen as the final frontier.
Recently I read "a life of hurry can become superficial. When we rush, we skim the surface, and fail to make real connections with the world or other people." (Carl Honore)
- According to one poll, the average working parent spends twice as much time on email as playing with their children.
- In Japan, parents now book their kids into twenty-four hour "child-minding" centers.
- In a poll of British adults, 1/2 said their hectic schedules had caused them to lose touch with their friends.
Alexis de Tocqueville blamed the shopping instinct for messing up the pace of life: "He who sets his heart exclusively upon the pursuit of worldly welfare is always in a hurry, for he has but a limited time at his disposal to reach, to grasp, and to enjoy it." He said that in the 1830's, scary!
It seems that Sabbath has more benefit than just a day off work. We have been wired to operate most effectively when we have space. If we miss out on sleep, down-time between activities, regular days off, and stuff that renews us, fact is, we simply miss out and our bodies let us know by eventually getting sick or crashing.
I know my levels of creativity and effectiveness suffer greatly when there is no space.
I'm all for the latest in technology. But sadly I can find myself enslaved to "time-saving" devices. Many times I've started to unscrew something only to spend 15 minutes looking for my cordless drill (hidden away in one of my son's "projects"). I could have used a regular screwdriver, but why do that when I can be saving time.?!
One thing I've worked on this past year is spending some time alone with God when I'm not doing anything. I am focusing on Him and thinking about Him, but I'm not reading, talking or writing. To "be still and know that I am God" is not very easy, and to just "be with" Jesus can be quite uncomfortable.
However, I never come away from those times without being more aware of God's transcendence and feeling refreshed.
I can't imagine the branch on the vine producing any more fruit by stressing out.
Father, help me to understand the way you've made me so I can bring glory to Your Name.
You are the Good Shepherd. Empower me to sprint when I need to, to lie down when you're making me lie down. Help me to muse upon your goodness during every activity, by quiet streams of water and in heavy traffic. Help me to be still and know that you are God. And grant me courage to say "no" to busyness, so I can say "yes" to your leadership. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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