Finding a Balance

"Be Still & Know that I Am God"

Photo:  Xanetia, Creative Commons

In the last Rom Phra Khun posting, I raised the question of how mainline churches might find a better spiritual balance.  For many, the problem is that we so emphasize being active, doing things, and accomplishing tasks (a multitude of tasks) that a balance has been lost.  Faith is not only about doing and accomplishing, even when the Kingdom of God is the goal of our doing and achieving.  Faith is also about listening quietly, praying gently, meditating with no goal other than to be still.  Faith is about singing for the joy of it, reading for the meaning of it, and reshaping life so that time is not a thing we fill with being busy—even the busy-ness of the Kingdom.

One of my treasured little possession from the long-ago past is a little plaque, not even the size of my hand, which reads, "Take time to be holy."  The psalmist enjoins us to be still so that we can know God (Psalm 46:10).  It is difficult for the average active Presbyterian church member to simply be still.  There's a million things to do.

I am personally convinced that one of the things we need to do in Presbyterian churches is to regain our spiritual balance, which means slowing down, maybe even doing less, or at least programming quiet into all of the activity—making non-activity an activity.  In that day, opening a committee meeting with two minutes of silence will be greeted with thanks and relief rather than impatience.  In that day, members will spend more time sharing their faith with each other and less on the business of the church.  In that day, we will balance our impatient quest for the Kingdom with a patient appreciation for the way it is already here.  Amen.