When I wake up in the morning, I have to hope my brain doesn't get started. Once I begin thinking through the activities of the day, rest will elude me until the next night (or the occasional afternoon nap). Typically on Thursdays I like to sleep in a bit later, since it is my "day off" (those in ministry understand the quotes). But this morning, despite getting to bed rather late, once I was roused by Jordan's departure for school I had no chance of getting back to sleep.
As I thought about today's lecture for systematic theology, I couldn't wait to begin putting the pieces together. I've now been at work for about three hours on this day of rest, and feel as relaxed and enthusiastic as I can imagine. Perhaps this has something to do with recently returning from a worship conference. My soul has already rested, and I don't really need a "day off" right now.
That being said, its amazing how powerfully we can be motivated to a particular course of action. When we are motivated to accomplish something for a cause bigger and higher than ourselves, obstacles seem insignificant. We can go many hours without sleep and food and comfort if we are sufficiently motivated to complete a task. We can endure a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience if the goal is worth it to us.
We live in a culture I believe is seldom motivated by anything other than momentary pleasure or gratification. We pursue our comfort, but our longings are ingrown and don't push us to discomfort and growth since comfort is exactly what we're seeking. We live in a Brave New World with our centrifugal bumble puppies and our soma and think we've got it made. We have seized our reproductive "freedom" and can now do what we want when we want. However, the slightest annoyance is magnified many times, since we are not accustomed to them. We complain and argue about the most petty things because we do not live in the pursuit of any greater or higher goals (cf. Phil 2:14).
The tragedy of this is that Christians have been sucked into this view of the world. I'm not much different from anyone else. I find myself drawn to selfish leisure like a moth to a flame. We dare not live like this -- I dare not -- in view of Paul's counsel to make "the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph 5:16). Our time here is brief, like a mist (Jms 4:14). The end of our days will come far sooner that we expect. If there is anything you think worth doing on this side of the grave, use that motivation to push you through whatever obstacles are in the way.
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2 comments:
True words. I find myself just where this post aims at this moment of my life. I struggle with sloth, cast around for a goal worth shaking other things off for. A few poke their heads up in the distance, and I feel surges of energy and determination rise in me as they draw closer. But I think I'm stuck with my generation in too much self-reflection and search for identity. I'm too perfectionistic about finding the perfect career or vocation, and I'm too picky about what I will choose to do. In a sense I think it's better than past generations that would settle into a job with IBM without a second thought, but my generation and those below me have swung into never settling anywhere. John Piper told us in a break-out session to "grow up" to find a goal and buckle to it. I'm longing to have something worth rising up for. I do a lot of things out of duty. Even going to China, I suspect, though God has His own hand in that past my analyzing. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." When I was writing a book in November and editing one in December I felt myself giving all I had to the task, because it was meaningful to me. I hope God will continue to send me tasks meaningful to the Kingdom and meaningful personally to me. Sorry to post a post in response, but I hope at the same time you'll appreciate that your thoughts are sparking my own.
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