Choosing solace in the midst of chaos

As the carefree, vacation-filled days of summer come to an end, we gear up for the frenzied pace of life that fall is sure to bring.  The hustle and bustle of back-to-school / back-to-work / back-to-football / back-to-gym / back-to-must-see-tv., quickly fills our schedules and before we know it, we wonder where the time has gone. Our summer hiatus has a way of inviting reflection, evaluation and self-care. We take time to think, feel and be.  We choose solace.  Whether it’s time spent with family or retreats away, we allow time for pause and the enjoyment of who we were made to be. If you are like me, there is something about keeping busy that feels good and productive. I take pride in being a master at multi-tasking.  We live in a culture that equates efficiency with success, and it seems our value is dependent on this rule.   The busier we are, the more important we are; the more important we are, the more worth we have. It seems like the more filled-up our calendars are with sports practices, church meetings or coffee dates, the richer our lives must be. Certainly, we are ambiguous people.  Part of us wants to cling to the silence and serenity we experience when we structure life in a way that permits this, and the other part longs for the endless opportunities and excitement busyness affords.  Ironically, the latter feels so much easier. Why does exerting continual energy and time feel like a breath of fresh air compared to sitting in silence? Examining our true inner feelings, thoughts, disappointments and hopes might seem permitted on a once-a-year basis, but to continually prioritize rest and internal awareness seems agonizing and overwhelming. Busyness can become a means of avoiding and escaping the less controlled and less understood longings of our heart. So, what is the point of intentionally setting aside time in the midst of our crazy schedules for silence, reading a good book, taking a walk and meditation? The point is realizing the cost of not doing so. While for some it feels easier to disconnect, we miss out on the beauty of sitting with ourselves, sitting with God, and just being.  We sacrifice this precious time and miss out on so much of what is.  Our true desire of rest and fulfillment is often suppressed by our fear of embracing our internal worlds. As image-bearers of Christ, we hold immense value and beauty based on who we are.  He gives us feelings, experiences and ponderings, which are worthy of reflection.  His creation and creatures reflect much of His character, yet we often fail to notice.  Until we believe that the unique hearts, truths and life stories He has given us are hugely significant and reflect who He is, we will allow life to be unexamined. Entering this busy season, my prayer and hope is to intentionally set aside time each day to do less—and just be.