January 2nd, 2009
Busyness is bad for you. Over-consumption is toxic. No amount of activity can replace precious moments of prayer and meditation that provide the spiritual oxygen for your soul. You’ve probably heard the design mantra “less is more”; well this is most true when talking about lifestyle and spirituality. In his book Afluenza Oliver James describes how the English speaking world suffers from an “obsessive, envious, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses – that has resulted in huge increases in depression and anxiety among millions”.
Scripture tells us “Be still and know that I am God”. It’s very hard to be still in the 21st century. Do you find yourself turning on the TV as soon as you get out of bed or home from work? Do you obsessively check your email and facebook? Do you fill all of the gaps in between with your iPod? Most people I know are outrageously busy, but aren’t actually making progress. As someone working in the creative industry I’ve learned that the time or amount of effort that you put into something only loosely corresponds to the actual progress you can make – instead it is focus, flow and inspiration that really determine what comes out the other end.
Jesus had a very clear opinion on this. Once he was teaching at a house with 2 sisters in it. One of the sisters sat at his feet and listened, the other – with good intentions – busily went about preparing the meal and making her guest comfortable. When the busy sister complained to Jesus about this he replied “you are busy and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. [The other sister] has chosen what is better.”
What does “still” mean in the 21st century? What is the difference between the activity-focus of “learning” and the stillness of “knowing”, and why do we need to be still in order for us to “know”.
Post your thoughts on these questions for the 21c pilgrim community to share.