I gave up Bernie Sanders and the coronavirus for Lent. I also gave up Donald Trump, the stock market, Nancy Pelosi, and pretty much all of Hollywood. Oh, let’s not stop there! Good-bye, internet trolls. Adios, bulldozer personalities. And a big, fat adieu to every other clanging distraction. Buh-bye.
Yes, I realize that is an exaggeration, but hear me out. You see, I recently received a wake up call in my personal life, and it renewed my belief that we have a serious problem. A stealthy, invasive problem. Perhaps you have noticed this problem, too? We have endless input clamoring for our attention. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Buy me! Vote for me! Beware of me! PAY ATTENTION TO ME!
Yikes! It’s enough to keep us frantically running in circles, isn’t it?
But what is the cost of all this urgent craziness? What are we losing?
stop chasing after empty barrels
There is a proverb of Greek origin that loosely translates to “empty barrels and insignificant people always make the most noise”. In other words, the loudest voice in the room is quite often NOT the most valuable. Likewise, the angriest voice is rarely the wisest, and the most demanding rarely has the most depth. Fortunately, we have a choice, friends. We can take back control .
For example, we could limit our intake of the news and advertising by turning off our screens one day a week. (I promise the chaos will still be there when you return.)
What else? Well, we could take a favorite kiddo out for ice-cream without cell phones attached. GASP! Trust me. I’ve done it, and it was glorious! Or meet a friend for coffee and make a point to genuinely encourage her (or him) with honest words. Extra cream, hold the complaining, please. No negativity for one hour about our spouses, kids, or our busy, busy, busy schedules. So busy! Ask about the condition of her (or his) heart instead, and then carefully listen. What a gift!
Or we could spend time in a soul-renewing activity that gives us joy. For me, that would be gardening or hiking or creating something with my hands. You pick whatever speaks to YOU. And to be clear, “vegging out” escapism in front of a screen is not soul-renewing. Mind numbing, maybe, but not healing to your world-weary soul.
make room for quiet
Above all, there is an even richer option. And that would involve just being still – quieting the room and your mind. You know why? Because those still, unhurried moments are when you are most receptive to hearing a whisper. In fact, it is a solid rhythm to get into and one that I have more consistently scheduled into my week.
For instance, for me that looks like being alone in a quiet place with no preset agenda and simply receiving whatever God has for me. I may listen to soothing music or flip open my Bible, but most often I just sit with my eyes closed and concentrate on a deep breathing pattern. Sometimes in those moments He whispers encouragement. Sometimes He quietly brings to mind a solution to a problem. And sometimes He lovingly challenges me to turn away from a path that is not my best. Most often we just enjoy each other’s company in the quiet. (What good Father doesn’t enjoy the uninterrupted company of His children?) Without fail, He always breathes renewed peace over me. Time well spent in any regard.
I’ll take fruit instead of empty barrels, please
So, in a sense, I gave up Bernie Sanders and the coronavirus for Lent. That is to say, I traded in inflammatory news reports and angry social media posts for structured quiet time. I stopped running in frantic circles because of empty barrels in favor of a renewed rhythm of abiding with my Father. Why? Because “He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (the Message)
Yep. I’d like more fruit, please. Oh, and clanging distractions demanding our time and attention? You can just get rid of the empty barrels on your way out. We don’t need them.
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