The Gower
I realised the other day that I can now barely remember the time when I didn’t use a mobile phone and the Internet. A time where the main way for people to get into contact with you was by sending you a letter in the post or leaving a message on your landline. Not that I mind that because I love social media, Facebook, Twitter, RSS feeds etc. Being a web developer I greatly value how the Internet can connect people and mobilize people to see justice in situations around the world. Since having an iPhone, it now means that no matter where I am, as long as there is a signal I can check status updates at any time. This can be a distraction when trying to find time to write. The web can create ‘noise’ meaning that your own thoughts, creativity can become drowned out in a hub of information, ideas and other people’s opinions if you don’t have space from it sometimes.
Last week I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon down the Gower in South Wales. This was a chance to rest, unplug from digital updates and connect with Jesus. I love spending time down by the sea, but the last time I was on this exact part of the Gower was a few years ago when I went on a silent retreat – I remember struggling somewhat with the ‘silent’ part added to the fact that the retreat fell on my birthday on which I spent quite a few hours in silence, which was challenging! Also, when we take time out to be silent and all other distractions are removed, it becomes an opportunity for a great time with Jesus but also it gives room for things you may be struggling with to come up. That’s OK because Jesus wants us to be free, but this is why we can avoid taking this time because if we keep ourselves busy it becomes easier to bury any issues. This time on the Gower last week was great as I appreciated the time I had there to encounter Jesus and rest.
I am aware that as I don’t have, for instance, a young family demanding my attention it can be easier to find time. Last year though turned out to be busy – work was quite hectic and then I moved house just after the New Year, which meant I spent the week leading up to Christmas packing up, as well as being a chance to declutter (note to self – don’t move around Christmas time). Five trips to the tip and three to the charity shops later I was ready to drop! So you could say I created space literally. Since then I have had more time but recognised the importance of being intentional with the time we have to ourselves. For instance, if we are on our own driving somewhere we can use that time as a good opportunity to spend with Jesus rather than thinking it’s just an hour spent stuck in traffic.
To simply refrain from talking without a heart listening to God is not silence – Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline
Many of my friends have young families, so finding time for space is a major challenge. One of my friends needed a solution to find this time and devised a plan to use her recipe bookstand, and place it on the window sill behind her kitchen sink with her Bible on it. Then whenever she washed up the dishes, which was frequently, she could read and chew over a few verses. This created her own space in the midst of little ones running around. It also reminds me of Brother Lawrence who practiced the Presence of God while washing up.
Taking this time also gives space for creative ideas to spring up as we have removed distractions and can allow ourselves to develop the things we are passionate about. Depending on your situation different times or places may work best for you even if it is for five minutes in a day.
More than ever I think that silence and solitude is important in this digital age – to give ourselves time to rest, connect with Jesus and think on creative ideas. Out of that place of stillness, compassion for others can flow and so can creative solutions to problems we see around us that help us know how to engage in action for change.
