"The convictions of your heart and the actual contents of your thoughts are less important, in the end, in guiding your actions than the immediate context of your behavior. Conclusion: busyness seriously compromises our ability to pay attention" The Tipping Point, by Maxwell Gladwell
Recently I was challenged by my Spiritual Director, Bitsy Rubsamen, with this question: In light of all that is going on in the world today, do you react to situations the way your heart and mind chooses or do you settle for another decision because you haven't the time to get involved?
This was a difficult question. It forced me to examine my walk. Am I truly walking out what I believe and standing up for the convictions I have or am I all talk? Do I let the details of life crowd out my time leaving me no time to make a difference in this world?
I used to settle, thinking that someone else would take care of "It," whatever "It" was. I didn't think that my bit really mattered. Bitsy had shared a personal story with us that seemed to her at the time a small "bit." A friend had lost someone dear to them. Bitsy is an artist, and her normal response would have been to create a beautiful, loving condolence card. But she was too busy and instead, picked up the phone and called her friend and left a heart-felt message on the answering machine. This friend told her later that she was the only person who called to offer condolences and the message was saved and played often as a wonderful comfort to their grieving heart. Now Bitsy felt guilty because she thought her "bit" wasn't enough, but just think if she had not offered up her "bit " to the Lord and reached out to a friend in pain.
The church, the world, the government suffer because most people think their "bit" doesn't matter. I am convinced that all our "bits" matter enormously in God's grand scheme. Imagine if Bitsy had not taken the time to call. Her friend's grief would have been suffered alone.
Convictions are bandied about too lightly today. Convictions are something we are willing to die for , or they are not a conviction at all. And it could be that if a conviction doesn't move you to get involved, you most likely will die for it. Or at the very least suffer. So you may as well get involved and make a difference.
Therefore, do I become an activist? The answer, for me, lies in listening to the voice of Jesus, my Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. When He speaks, His plans get results. It may still lead to death, but it will have eternal consequences. That is if I obey.
So I have determined to be still and listen. To stop the busyness and be so filled with my God that I will have the courage to do the things He asks of me.
Join me?
