First Monday - Day Five

'Let Go and Let God' vs 'Greet God and Get Going'
Yesterday as I was leaving my office after some hectic data gathering for the yearly filing of Statistics. I found myself reflecting on the tension between "getting things done" and "taking a break". Many times at church meetings I've heard people describe the freeing experience of "letting go and letting God". Such declarations are often met with head nods and other affirmations.

We get it. We recognise the importance of taking time, forsaking the "to-do" list and making time to be in touch with our spirits and The Spirit. However, just as often, or even more, I've heard the opposite at meetings - a lament on just how busy things are and just how long the "to-do" list has gotten. 

I think I was forced by The Spirit into this short but deep reverie. You see I had had three or so days of the second situation - the lament. Expectations, requirements and tasks had built up and despite attempts to deal with some in the previous week I was constantly and continually interrupted (and yes, the interruptions are also my work) by other things to do which at the very least spoiled the concentration I needed to complete some of the other things. Many of them were not my things, but work put upon me by other deadlines and responsibilities. Therein lies the tension. Often we are not the ones who will be disappointed or offended if we choose to take time away. As much as the affirmation and nodding heads understand the need, they won't be quite so obliging if the work I choose to put aside is going to hamper, hinder or otherwise disrupt other people's ability to accomplish things. 

And that's what led me to my Sunday afternoon reflection. I dearly wanted to take the afternoon and evening off, but there were people and groups of people wanting me to get some things done (many of whom would have no idea how busy my schedule was, nor would they know they were putting this pressure on me) to say nothing of my own desire not to disappoint them or miss deadlines. 

As it turned out, it seems that something in my overload control system must have kicked in because I went home, worked on some of the work I had to do and then completely forgot about an event I had committed to lead in the evening!

But then as if to lead me further into reflection I got up this morning, got ready (including an extra stop to pick up something I had forgotten in my previous day's haste) and arrived at the airport only to discover I had booked myself on the wrong flight. This has not been a stellar twelve hours as a self-esteem booster. Just to prove that things are not always in my control (or out of control!) my flight was delayed over two hours. Suddenly I had some "found" time. 

What to make of all of this? Sometimes things just click and we might imagine God smiling on us as we happily move from engagement to engagement and task to task, finding just the right resources to make our work go quickly, and just the right schedule so that things fit into place. Other times it seems we can't win for losing and the "best laid plans" as Robbie Burns opined, "gang aft a-gley". It is important for me to find the smile of God in both. Often, the train wreck days are the ones which bring the most joyous memories but only after they are all done and over, while the days that click provide much quicker feelings of accomplishment and efficiency.

I'm sure that my Sunday afternoon musing and the series of happenings which added reflection points to the process will not be the last time such thoughts pass through my brain. It seems a fitting, even if unexpected topic for a Monday morning in Lent. Chronos and Kairos - creative tension and helpful dialectic.

En route between Yellowknife and Edmonton,
Monday, February 22

 

Today's photo should be self-explanatory...