On Constant Stand-By
Finding rest amid the pressure of daily routine - By Minister Moses

Technological progress in mass communication is impressive. So rapid is its advance that most of us have no idea just how far it has reached. It has never been easier for one person to contact another immediately. Through popularization of the telephone, internet, cellular phones, faxes and pagers the conventional means of communication, the ‘good old fashioned’ post, is now known as ‘snail mail’.

The price for all this however is a certain loss of privacy. If someone does not get you on your land line, then they will immediately try your cellular. If that fails they will try your second cellular and conclude by sending you an urgent email. If you fail to answer all of these within about 8 hours you will be asked “Didn’t you get my messages?” in a tone that suggests “Where on earth have you been?”

This general communication overload in life has lead to the scarcity of solitude, peace and tranquility, and unfortunately for all its benefits to commercial progress, this is having negative effects on our health and happiness. Surrounded by machines on constant stand-by, it is easy to forget that we ourselves are not made of the same stuff. We are emotional human beings that require time and space to get away from it all, and recharge. The red light does need to be switched off from time to time.

Proverbs 14:30 speaks of this when it says; 'A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh; but envy (or over zealousness) is the rottenness of the bones. (ASV)/ A Tranquil mind gives life to the flesh, but passion makes the bones rot (RSV)'

Categorized as one of the wisdom books, Proverbs gives us knowledge that we can readily apply in our daily lives. Given that it was written at a time when Israel was flourishing spiritually, politically, culturally, and economically, the message it gives is just as relevant today as it was then. It is interesting therefore that as well as dealing with marital relations, wealth management, debt repair, child-rearing and politics; it also deals with having a calm state of heart and mind.

All the benefits that modernity and progress bring can only be truly enjoyed if the heart and mind are at peace and content. Clearly from this we can see just how important a subject this is to God Himself. This is reiterated in the Gospels, in how Jesus would frequently withdraw from the crowds to pray and find solitude.
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10 NIV)
If He saw it fit to find time to withdraw and rest, how much more you and I?

A Ceaseless Culture
We live in a culture that demands productivity. One must always be seen to be doing something or the other. Even children by the age of five seem to have daily agendas that would make the business directors of yester-year raise their eyebrows in surprise.

Of course we are not advocating laziness, but simply pointing out that a regimen for high and sustainable production does is in fact also require time for rest and recuperation. This is the only way that we will be able to work hard in the long run and we would do well to not lose sight of this.

Solitude for peace and tranquility are not going to readily avail themselves to us, indeed it is increasingly unlikely that society will afford us such calm. Rest has to be literally scheduled into the working day, week or month. From my experience one has to deliberately allocate time for this and not allow other pressing matters to muscle their way in. No matter what.

Interestingly in the Genesis account of the creation, God on day seven conspicuously decides to take a day off to rest. I have wondered about this from childhood; could it be that he was genuinely tired? Far from it, He did this to show a certain order that man should follow. It is surely then, the greatest form of arrogance and pride for creation to attempt to out-work God, the untiring Creator. Unsurprisingly we experience stress, burn-out, ill-health, and foul tempers; all the consequences of our non-stop routine

Here are some helpful suggestions on how we can enjoy solitude, peace and tranquility.

1 Pray for it
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savoir (1st Tim 2:1-3 NIV)

2 Make it your ambition
Make it your ambition to ‘lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody’. (1 Thessalonians 4:11 – 12)

3 Find appropriate company to share activities that do not
stress you out

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24 NIV)

4 Find quiet time for prayer and meditation
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1 NIV)

5 Go away on regular breaks
I find that a short break every three months is extremely beneficial not only to my health but also to my overall perspective of life. Going away will enable you to refocus and channel your energy incisively and effectively toward your goals.

6 Engage in peaceful activities, like these…
Walking along country paths is simply therapeutic, reading books you enjoy, listening to soothing music, watching a black and white Humphrey Bogart film when it’s raining outside (a personal favorite), or just plain doing nothing!

The important thing to remember is that technology was made to help us, not control us. There will always be something else to do, but first things come first – your health. Plan to live a life like that of Christ, complete with moments of peace, tranquility and solitude.