THE GIFT OF TEMPTATION
A few years ago, we bought a new car that had a lot of built in computerized extras. Along with lots of electronic sounds the car did an interesting thing: If the radio was on and I put the car into reverse, it reduced the volume of the radio. I was surprised to notice that I could back up more easily.
It turns out that one can learn a spiritual discipline from your car: specifically, reduce the volume of all the stuff that tries to capture our attention and lure us away from listening to our intuition and imagination. I suspect that most of us have a long list of shoulds or habits that divert us from listening to the still small voice of the Spirit trying to get our attention. But if we can turn down that noise, we might be able to hear what we might do to nurture ourselves and others.
Here are some of the ways I turn down the volume of activities that do not nurture. I walk away from my electronic device(s). I take a walk outdoors or spend some time weeding. I practice meditation. I write.
I share my own strategies with the hope that you have your own methods for tuning in to God, and encourage you to do more of them!
Prayer: Dear God, deliver us from the temptations that hinder us from listening to You. Amen
Pat Hitchcock