"Stop the world…I want to get off." The familiar
quote from Anthony Newly comes to mind way too often these days. There are so
many things going on in the world that is it is hard to figure out sometimes
which way is up.
With economic news changing daily, default concerns in
Greece and Italy, earthquakes in Turkey and Japan, poverty rates going up in
the United States, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan…the list goes on and on. Add to
the many things swirling around in the world out there our own personal crises. It seems sometimes that stopping the
world would be a good thing to do.
So what to do when everything seems to be spinning out of
control around you? Well for me, when things get stressful and seemingly out of
control, creating "sacred space" becomes extremely important. Often
in the gospels Jesus "retreats to a quiet place" to escape the
demands of his day to day ministry. We are not so much different. If the Son of
God needed time away we doubly need time to ourselves.
So a few suggestions on finding or creating your
"sacred space".
1. Find a spiritual practice. One of the things that I have
done and continue to do is end the day with washing the dishes. I know that that
doesn't sound exactly spiritual but trust me it is. Having that quiet time at
the end of the day to let my mind go blank and wash the stress of the day way
is simply spiritual. It is a time that I can focus on letting go and opening my
mind to God's presence. My point is that whether it's washing the dishes or
finding a quiet place to meditate, create space in your day to simply be; to
commune with your soul and with God.
2. Create something with an end. I have found that doing some
activity or project that allows me to see its completion takes me away for a
time from stress. It forces me to focus
on one thing and see it to the end. Think of Paul writing all those letters to
the baby churches throughout Christendom. Paul knew that the possibility of
persecution was around every corner and that he would never see the fruits from
the seeds of faith he had planted. How different are we from Paul in our need
to see something to its end?
3. Find out what helps you de-stress. When I find myself
stressed my house miraculously becomes spotless. Cleaning seems to be a great
way for me to let things flow. But find something that allows you to release to
God those things over which you have no control.
4. Pray. Need I say more?
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7
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