The life I lead is not necessarily fascinating.
So why share with you what I’m “working on”?
Well, just to keep the conversation going. To keep the ideas flowing. To pass on what I’m learning.
First thing of note
I’m working on living inside-to-out. That is, to make prayer and Scripture my starting points, then build out from there.
The biggest barriers to this pattern of living are internal. I’m naturally drawn to productivity, getting things done, knocking off the “to-do” list.
So to slow down and designate time for “non-productivity,” when that to-do list is ringing in my head like an alarm clock, is difficult.
Conclusion: After keeping the sabbath and taking a series of longer and shorter retreats (of Bible study, prayer, contemplation and reading), things in front of me come into sharp relief. I feel saner, wiser, choosier, less impulsive.
In a book to which I keep returning, Sabbath Keeping, author Lynn Baabs offers this nugget of wisdom:
“The more we practice [retreat], the greater a privilege it becomes, the more essential it feels, the deeper it connects us to the river of life that provides fruit in all seasons” (p17).
Yes, fruit in all seasons. Bearing fruit is slightly different and much better than merely being productive — don’t you think?
Photo by Daniele Colucci on Unsplash
