“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”  Socrates

Who has control of your schedule?

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Back to our list of happiness tips (DG 1/4/08).  Today, I would like to highlight tip #8, “Take time to savor life. Instead of rushing from one thing to another, resolve to have less to do each day, less appointments and fewer tasks. Then do each thing slowly, with mindfulness and ease, and try to be present in the moment. And truly enjoy whatever it is you do, from talking to eating to walking to just sitting.”

I need to confess up front that much of what I’m about to write falls into the category of “Do what I say, not what I do.”  Sadly, I am very guilty of “rushing.”  I keep thinking that it’s just for a short season (and there certainly are times when intense activity is required), but have you noticed (like I have) that the short season can all too easily morph into a lifestyle?

If I may quote our friend and mentor, Dr. Randy Peck again, he’s always reminding us that we must “ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.”  He wrote the following in one of his daily devotionals late in 2006:  “Jesus was NEVER in a hurry! Not even one time.”  He went on to write in that same devotional, “Life is a journey, not a destination. Life is much more about who we become than what we do. Discipleship is the process of becoming more Christ-like. This is one of God’s top goals for His children. Yet, what I observe is that most of Jesus’ followers are rushing around trying to “do things for God,” instead of abiding in Jesus to allow Him to do things for them. It’s sad — very sad.”

In the age of cell phones, WIFI, Instant Messaging, Blackberries, et al., it is undeniable that the pace of life is accelerating beyond what most of  us can handle.  But, you know, it all comes down to choice again, doesn’t it?  Just like we have seen with almost every one of the happiness tips we had looked at so far, it always seems to be a choice between being a victim and being responsible.  Who is truly responsible for your schedule and your to-do list?  One thing I’ve learned is that if I don’t make myself responsible, there is a whole lot of people lined up and just waiting for the job…and the results are never good.

It’s your (and my) choice…life or stress!

Prayer Power
Lord, grant us the grace to be able to slow down in the midst of an increasingly frantic culture.  We ask you to step in and be the One Who takes charge of our schedule and of our to-do list.

Link of the Day
The Devil’s Convention

Blessings on you as you take steps to…SLOW DOWN.