A quiet demeanor can refresh the body, soul
Pastor Bob Chell
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Opinion & Editorial
I feel like a victim though I know it's untrue. I feel overburdened and under-appreciated, squeezed by time constraints and stretched by commitments. Jesus says, "You will find your life by losing it." I feel I have lost my life by living it; carpe diem and all that. The time when I could seize the day is long past. Now, each day seizes me.
I am present to everyone and no one. I surf the net when I am on the phone, and phone my circle when I drive. I give no one my full attention and wonder why I am short-fused, frustrated and unfulfilled.
I work hard. I do my job faithfully. To what end? I can relate to Elijah, the prophet whose best efforts left him wandering in the wilderness saying, "Enough of this."
Elijah. He, too, was at the end of his rope. Looking, hoping, praying for direction. Are you exasperated by the promotion process to get tenure, wondering what major would lead to a rewarding and fulfilling life or fearful budget shortfalls will stop you dead in your tracks? Have you taken those closest to you for granted? Are you tired, bone tired? Me too.
St. Teresa of Avilla reportedly said, "God, if this is the way you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few." Preach it, sister!
If you, too, think God could do a much better job by focusing a bit more and attending to details, sit back, settle in and listen up. That's what Elijah did, and I need to do.
Elijah listened for the voice of God on the television (scripture says hurricane-force winds, but this is my translation). Nothing. Elijah checked for God's e-mail hourly (Hebrew says he looked in an earthquake - my translation again). Nothing. Elijah waited for God's call, making certain his cell phone was on (Hebrew says he searched the fire). Nothing.
Like me, like you, Elijah was done, weary, worn out, dog tired and used up. He quit looking and gave up listening. If you have ever cared for a newborn baby, you know what is softer than soft, quieter than quiet and stiller than still. If you have nudged and poked a precious gift of God so you might perceive the imperceptible; if you breathed a sigh of relief and delight when you caught that which you yearned to hear: the soft, soundless, breath of a baby, you know what to listen for.
I am present to everyone and no one. I surf the net when I am on the phone, and phone my circle when I drive. I give no one my full attention and wonder why I am short-fused, frustrated and unfulfilled.
I work hard. I do my job faithfully. To what end? I can relate to Elijah, the prophet whose best efforts left him wandering in the wilderness saying, "Enough of this."
Elijah. He, too, was at the end of his rope. Looking, hoping, praying for direction. Are you exasperated by the promotion process to get tenure, wondering what major would lead to a rewarding and fulfilling life or fearful budget shortfalls will stop you dead in your tracks? Have you taken those closest to you for granted? Are you tired, bone tired? Me too.
St. Teresa of Avilla reportedly said, "God, if this is the way you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few." Preach it, sister!
If you, too, think God could do a much better job by focusing a bit more and attending to details, sit back, settle in and listen up. That's what Elijah did, and I need to do.
Elijah listened for the voice of God on the television (scripture says hurricane-force winds, but this is my translation). Nothing. Elijah checked for God's e-mail hourly (Hebrew says he looked in an earthquake - my translation again). Nothing. Elijah waited for God's call, making certain his cell phone was on (Hebrew says he searched the fire). Nothing.
Like me, like you, Elijah was done, weary, worn out, dog tired and used up. He quit looking and gave up listening. If you have ever cared for a newborn baby, you know what is softer than soft, quieter than quiet and stiller than still. If you have nudged and poked a precious gift of God so you might perceive the imperceptible; if you breathed a sigh of relief and delight when you caught that which you yearned to hear: the soft, soundless, breath of a baby, you know what to listen for.
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