My friend sent me a text telling me about her visit to Holy Island. Unfortunately prescriptive text was used and she was telling me about her ‘Holy Idleness.’ Do we all need more ‘Holy Idleness’ in our lives?
It does seem the world is getting faster and faster, everything is geared to happen more quickly and save time. Instant is an overused word. Coffee is now instant. Our microwave and air fryers are designed to give us food more quicker than conventional ovens. We can do our shopping instantly online, no more rushing round the shops. Young people speak quicker, no doubt to save time, though in some cases more time is wasted asking them what they actually said. ‘Miracle grow’ is used to make plants grow quicker. We can now get ‘drive though’ drinks and meals. Quicker and quicker. I feel out of breath just typing this all out. Since the phrase ‘Stop the world, I want to get off’ was coined, life has speeded u even more. Work can be more demanding, everything to save time.
The Bible does not tell us to rush through life. Just the opposite, ‘Be still and know that I am God’. Psalm 46:10. The world frowns on this idea, but our idleness can be holy. We can stop and appreciate the wonderful world God has given us, we sit and look at the birds and butterflies, stand and admire the scenery. We can be idle and holy. In our idleness, words of scripture drift into our mind, thoughts of peace and adoration float up.
Lord, supply me times of Idle Holiness.’ Amen.