Static Interference

Lately I find myself listening to a frenzy of sound. Noises, voices chattering without and demanding from within. Nothing clear but sort of a simultaneous clamour. Summer days are supposed to be lazy and carefree, aren’t they? Our world has increased in complication to the point of soul enslavement. Do you struggle to find inner freedom, peace in your soul?

The mundane beckons daily no matter the season: banking balances barking, errands engaging, cleaning crying, forever crying for attention. Laundry laughing and cooking calling, via hungry bellies for meals and lunches. When will they be quiet? The twelfth of never. This I accept, although reluctantly I confess. How do we juggle the necessities of life without overloading our spirits?

In addition there’s online communication craving to be noticed. Text alerts tempting prompt attention. Email can be ignored only so long before you need to spend gobs of time deleting unwanted messages. Face Book fascination and/or curiosity can be entertaining but at times out of control. I used to say ringing phones are an invitation not a command. Somehow lately my guard has dropped. I feel the compelling need to answer all the incoming invitations. We are deluged with more information, invitations and expectations than any other generation to date. I expect it will only escalate.

This is not to mention concerns on National and Global fronts which are certainly capable of interfering with our relaxation abilities.

As dedicated Jesus followers we can easily get caught in this trap:

“I was dominated by ‘shoulds,’ ‘ought to’s,’ and ‘musts.’ . . . I was exhausted trying to be a hope constantly rekindled for others, straining to live up to their images of me. I had worked hard to develop a reputation as one who was concerned, available and involved—- now I was being tyrannized by it. Often I was more at peace in the eyes of others than in my own.”

This is a quote from Tim Hansel’s book “When I Relax I Feel Guilty.” This particular book sat on my personal library shelf for years. I started it at least ten times but never got very far. It’s not even a very long book. Only 147 pages. I’d begin with enthusiasm and then I fell right back into False Guilt pressure and stop reading. My goal for this summer of 2016 is to read that book and share anything useful I may glean from it with anyone of you who may also be struggling. As August begins, time is running out. I must hurry up and read about relaxing! Hah!

You see, I can tell this inability to relax is interfering with my FLURISHING. This is not what God wants for me or you. His desire is for all of us to experience His love and forgiveness moment by moment and then FLURISH freely with Him in the world He created for us. We need the awe and wonder of His world restored in our hearts and minds despite what is happening around us.

Read I Kings 19:10-13 in your favorite version.

So for now be aware of your own relaxation quotient. Is your soul at peace? Are you able to hear HIS voice above the din?

Talk to God for direction to explore HIS world in some new fashion. When HE gives you an idea, try it out to see if it relaxes you.  Keep asking and trying whatever HE  suggests. You will find ways to relax and FLURISH quietly with HIM!

P.S. I was able to relax while listening to my nine year old great niece play a mini concert on her violin. She told me it would be relaxing and she was right.:)

Shine on. . .

karan k