We live in a world of busyness. More and more is expected from us at work – often for less and less reward. Sometimes, our work may expose us to trauma or to things which require intense concentration. We may finish the day exhausted and with little ability to bounce back.
Even when we rest, a million things clamour for our attention
– news headlines, social media, the demands of home and family. Houses need to be maintained, budgets need to be balanced, and meals need to be prepared.
Somewhere, somehow, even if it is just for a few minutes at a time, we need to build spiritual spaces in our lives. These may not be retreats or escapes from where we are. They could be pauses for a minute at a time as we reflect on something that has happened to us that day. They
could be brief moments to smell a flower, listen to a bird call or touch a blade of grass.
We need these pauses, not for themselves, but to go blank for a bit and let God touch us in the here and now. It is no accident that one of the earliest commands in the Bible is the Sabbath command to rest (exemplified in Genesis’ story of the days of creation). Rest allows physical and mental recovery and gives God space to seep gently
into the cracks of our lives and lubricate the grinding gears of our busyness, giving them purpose and meaning.
Try to stake out times for pause and reflection this week, where you can still yourself and take a mini-break from the thoughts and worries that life brings. Notice the effect these times have on you.
Reflections by Justin Glyn SJ
