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We commenced a series last night looking at life's pace and its impact on us. Our starting point was exploring the things that we do quickly. The list was startling, embracing almost everything that we do. We race from the time we get out of bed in the morning until our head hits the pillow at night. But it doesn't stop there... how often have we "had a quick nap"? We even sleep quickly, cutting down on hours of sleep, pushing ourselves so hard until we stop - and only when we stop do we sleep. Is there anything we do slowly, with intention?
The impacts are obvious: higher stress and anxiety levels, growing evidence of chronic fatigue, higher rates of mental illness, more relationship breakdown... the list goes on. We have been lulled into thinking that to "seize the day", and to not let opportunities slip by, means that we are called to push ourselves to extremes.
Prominent Baptist preacher F.W.Boreham speaks of a theology of sleep, one he practised routinely. I cannot remember ever hearing a sermon on sleep, but plenty on being prepared to seize the moment. The balance has been missing. Universally we admitted that we have succumbed to the pace, being caught up in its ever-increasing intensity. Even rocks skim the surface when travelling at the right speed, never plumbing the depths until it slows its pace. If we are to touch the deep places of our lives, to be in touch with our deep humanity, our deep spirituality, we need to resist the pressures which speed everything up for us.
To do one thing slowly - with intention - in the coming week, this is the challenge we adopted. Just one thing? How difficult can that be?
Posted by gary at May 8, 2006 10:18 PM
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