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Author: Philip Hirsch
Eighty emails were waiting in my inbox the other day, each in need of a reply. I would send five and get seven back. More stress.
I think Jesus stressed. He would feed 5,000 for lunch and even more would show up the next day for dinner. He would heal a man born blind and suddenly everywhere he went people pressed in on him for more. So crushing were the crowds that his friends put him in a boat to be able to speak to them all.
In the middle of those very busy, hectic and pressing days, Jesus modeled something vital for us. He would go to a quiet place to pray. Sometimes alone and sometimes he would bring a couple of his friends with him.
On days of high stress, I feel like river water that has stirred up the bottom and all seems murky. When life is like this, it’s hard to see clearly and love deeply.
The way of Jesus is one that expects busy lives that take on the deep problems of the world. The purpose of Christianity is not to have perfect, balanced and peaceful lives. We are called to mix it up in the world and work for justice and goodness and that means getting stressed out.
Peace comes when we take time to seek God’s presence. This takes discipline because the times we need it the most are when we are most pressed for time. It comes because we slow down enough to connect with the power of goodness, love and truth that we know of as Jesus Christ.
Connecting with the holy reminds me that I am not in control and that the world’s continued motion does not depend on me getting up in the morning a pushing.
It makes me think of the things that are really important, and those that are not.
Mostly, it just gives me a peace from knowing how deeply I am loved no matter how many emails I get to today.
image by Martin LaBar (rights)
