Shelly is running. She operates a successful real estate career that keeps life busy seventy plus hours a week. To top that off she is a mother of two and a wife of another hard-working executive.
Mike is sprinting, overwhelmed by the sheer pressures of life. His mortgage is unpaid and home unkept. He is working three jobs trying to keep up with the basic necessities of life. His father is ill, between shifts at work this weighs heavily on his mind.
Tammy is arriving. Her aspirations of becoming a “real” writer have paid off. Through a few key connections, she finds herself with her first book advance. She is a wife and mother of three – now her work begins.
Just the other day I looked at an old church bulletin. There was an activity planned for every day of the week. Planned was small groups, large groups and in-between groups – each with the promise of a heart fully alive. I wondered how I could ever convince Shelly, Mike or Tammy that they need God. Especially if, God’s people are living life at an even faster pace than the typical unchurched person.
We simple do not need more programs. What busy people need seems very simple, a lot more Jesus and a little more rest.
When it comes to emotional and spiritual health, I believe we all can be more effective in life by addressing our D.A.M.N. human tendencies of rushing through life. Here, is what we need to understand.
MOST PEOPLE ARE:
DRIVEN, by nature. Have you ever noticed that in the Bible God’s firstborn son Adam never kept a to-do list? He was given a mighty job but instead of rushing to get the work done he explored. Before the fall, man did not seem to own a driven nature. After the fall, it seems as if work got harder as we substituted achievement for exploration.
ALWAYS LOOKING for the next significant thing. It seems like there is always another mountain to climb. It is our natural tendency. It’s the main reason so many fuss and carry on about finding their callings. Many people love the idea of being seen talking on a cell phone, while boarding an airplane heading to the next meeting. What’s for sure is we are easily taken by the green grass on the other side of our life.
MISSING the beauty of now. I was speaking to my friend the other day about gardening. He mentioned taking snapshots every once in a while so that he can see the progress of his garden’s growth. His time in the garden is almost a religious activity. For me, I schedule a rushed trip to the farmers market to pick up some vegetables and get back to my doings. I don’t like to think about how many now moments of beauty I have missed along the way.
NOT RESTING. Resting only occurs when your intentional about the process. You can not half do rest. It doesn’t work. Why do you think people get sick on vacation so often? It’s because we view resting as a luxury. Rest is a necessity. Vacation is one of the few times we offer our bodies enough time to be sick.
These human tendencies often lead a person to a place of poor emotional and spiritual health. This always leads to poor physical health. Yet anyone of us can be much more alive in life if we commit to loving Jesus more and overcoming our D.A.M.N. driven tendencies.
How might you suggest we protect our hearts from these D.A.M.N. driven tendencies?
Mark I love the photo. Sometimes, I’m running just like him. I love your title. Thanks for being real. Thanks for all of ypur support on my blog.
Thanks Janiese your a great writer and it is my pleasure to support your blog. Keep up the great writing -it matters!
Excellent acronym and points for us to remember to S-L-O-W down because this is the only earthly life we have.
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I am with you Cinhosa – thank goodness for eternity!!
This IS totally a dad thing. My husband would totally be checking out the other cameras. (as long as he isn’t checking out the other moms I am okay with that. haha). Okay, bad joke.
Have a great day Mark!
Wow, Mark, very poignant post with a real eye catching title. Great writing here, and very meaningful.
I used to be 1 of the million moms who videotaped my kids productions. But what I noticed is that looking through the view-finder I was missing out on the REAL experience before me, and I never went back and watched the videos. I was missing the beauty of now. So now, I am fully present at every program. So I can’t post the video on facebook. Big deal. There are 100 other parents I can get a copy of it from.
Thanks Kelly you are such a great encourager!
Great advice on the videotaping – it is very true. You think you are there experiencing it, but it is really no different than watching them on television from another continent. Have you ever compared who had the better camera? Yep, that’s me…missed the whole show stewing over my lack of proper technology. (That may be a Dad thing.)
This hit home for me. Slowing down in progress…..
Way to go LaRae! May the peace of the Lord follow.