Is this pandemic causing you to trade one distraction for another? I’m hearing some people talk about how the slower pace of life occasioned by less time running around and more time staying home have led to an increased sense of calm. In these cases, the distraction of our habitual busyness has been removed. I hear others wishing they could use this time to settle down a bit, but they find themselves locked in a seemingly endless cycle of fear, worry, and stress. Perhaps their pre-pandemic outward distractions have now been replaced by the inward distraction of a mind that just can’t seem to shake living in a never-ending state of high alert.
This morning, our little CPYU Together In The Word Facebook Group happened upon this day’s entry in Tim Keller’s daily devotional, The Songs Of Jesus. Keller had us read the first few verses of Psalm 66. As I hovered over the words of verse 5 I couldn’t help but read it today as an invitation to step out of our distractions. . . whatever, wherever, and whenever they come. Verse 5 says. . . “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!”
One of the beneficial outcomes of the pandemic for me has been a slower pace of life. I’m hearing that from lots of people. Perhaps that’s the case for you as well. Yesterday I mentioned to Lisa that as long as this stay-at-home situation continues, our backyard might be our summer sanctuary and a kind of passport to sanity. We were actually sitting out back and enjoying our surroundings as we chatted about this. We were noticing familiar plants, the variety and behavior of birds at the feeders, and the activity of the squirrels. It was a kind of “stop and smell the roses” moment where our eyes were opening with wonder at the familiar things we so often overlook in the midst of our hurry.
Psalm 66:5 says. . . “Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” One of the beneficial outcomes of the pandemic for me has been a slower pace of life. I’m hearing that from lots of people. Perhaps that’s the case for you as well. Perhaps we can use this slower pace of life right now to “come and see what God has done.” We can notice, stare at, and ponder his “awesome deeds.” Take some time to today to think back about God’s work in history and your life. Take some time to ponder his plan of redemption. Take some time to use your senses to drink in the beauty and variety of his creation. Take some time to today to think back about God’s work in history and your life. Take some time to ponder his plan of redemption. Take some time to use your senses to drink in the beauty and variety of his creation.
One last thing. I’ve had many parents ask me about what kinds of things they can fill their kids’ time with right now. Why not take lots of time to get outside as a family to “come and see what God has done”?