Spirit-Tending in the Fast Lane
This monthly meditation is sponsored by the Spiritual Formation Ministry. We hope it will be a useful tool for staying connected to Spirit in the midst of the busyness of life, to stop and remember who and what matters.
May we suggest that prior to reading the meditation you take a couple of deep breaths, allowing your body to relax and unwind. Then begin reading slowly, giving time for the words to take hold.
In a recent conversation with a colleague, I was reminded of a book I read many years ago entitled The Art of Selfishness by David Seabury. This memory came to me as we discussed the need for Sabbath time in our lives, in the lives of those we serve, and in a culture that is addicted to busy-ness. Gordon Dahl, in his book Work, Play, and Worship in a Leisure-Oriented Society says that “Most middle-class Americans tend to: worship their work; work at their play; and play at their worship.” He continues, “That which we worship, we serve, and that which we serve we will give our all, heart, soul, mind and body.”
So how does the art of selfishness fit with all of this? Well, let’s take an honest look at our lives and the three areas described above; work, play and worship. Most all of life can be seen in terms of these categories. But what about Sabbath rest? Rest is found in leisurely play and in observing Sabbath time. Worship is a part of Sabbath. Worship is time set aside to celebrate the presence of God in our lives, and to acknowledge our relationship with, our dependence upon, and, yes, even our resistance to, the Divine. We are called (remember the fourth Commandment?) to cease our own creating, to let go and trust God to take care of things for at least one day a week. Sabbath is taking time to do nothing, to produce nothing, to just be. We rest! In Genesis God rested on the seventh day from God’s labor of creating. It takes courage and strength to say “no” to a culture that demands and rewards constant engagement and activity. The Bible encourages us to take one day a week, quality time with no agenda; time set aside for self and loved ones, with no expectation to ‘produce’ anything except closer relationships, healthier bodies and less stressed spirits (the natural outcomes of Sabbath rest). This could be judged by others as selfish and might even be resented. It will, however, greatly benefit you and those around you. Everybody wins! There is good reason why God practiced and, later, commanded it!
The art of “selfishness” becomes an act of love. I challenge you to try it!