“An efficiently busy life that keeps us occupied without being harried and keeps our attention entirely on interesting outer things is probably more potentially destructive of spiritual growth than debauchery or alcohol or hard drugs…. On the other hand, a quiet, efficient, and busy life spent continuously in good works can shield us effectively from any plunge into the depth where the Divine can find us.”
–Morton Kelsey in The Other Side of Silence
Martin Kelsey reminds us of two major life styles that society celebrates that can be dangerous to our mind, body, and spirit. Being so busy at home or at work can make us unable to have time for that inner God connection where we learn who God created us to be. On the other hand, when our busyness is so much involved in good works so that we cannot have time to find out if this is really our call, we again may not be doing the work God created us to do. Kelsey points out that these life styles can be as destructive to our bodies, our minds, our souls as alcohol or drugs. Both of these life styles are destructive rather than healthy. They both are addictive. We keep wanting to do more. Instead the God within and above us cries out for our presence, and our bodies and souls and minds cry out. We realize something is missing. We have a moment of clarity. We realize we have filled our God hole with busyness and good works. We start to try to follow a rule of life, stopping during regular times during the day to connect to God. This works for awhile until some project comes our way, and we are back into our addiction. So, what helps? One of the best ways I know is living in community, talking and sharing with others how we are doing, supporting each other in prayer. God calls us to community for our own health.
Joanna. Joannaseibert.com
Book Signing Wordsworth Books
Saturday, November 2, 2019 1 to 3 pm
Just in time for the holidays
A Spiritual Rx for Advent Christmas, and Epiphany
The Sequel to A Spiritual Rx for Lent and Easter
Both are $18. Money from sale of the books goes to Camp Mitchel Camp and Conference Center in Arkansas or Hurricane Relief in
The Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast