We’re busy doing nothing
Working the whole day through
Trying to find lots of things not to do.
We’re busy going nowhere
Isn’t it just a crime?
We’d like to be unhappy, but
We never do have the time?
These words (and I apologise if this song now becomes an ear worm for you) were sung by Bing Crosby, William Bendix & Cedric Hardwicke and featured in the film A Connecticut Yankee in KingArthur’s Court. (1948)Somehow, the words seem appropriate and inappropriate at the same time for our current circumstances. For those who are working from home, there is the daily juggle between the demands of work together with other domestic responsibilities. Those that are in lockdown, are probably getting close to suffering from a form of cabin fever and for others their days have become busier as they try to get through that endless list of jobs that they have been promising themselves that they will get around to ‘one day’.The lockdown has highlighted how we need to re-set our expectations of ‘normal life’ and what is achievable at the moment. As with anything to do with major changes in our lives, especially those over which we have little or no control, it requires both a mental and an emotional adjustment. If you are a natural ‘doer’ then life will be very frustrating at the moment, but we can learn a lot from those who work quietly in the background, supporting and nurturing other people. It is so easy to criticise others for not doing what you think they should be doing, and imposing ourexpectations on other people, but as I have said before, we all have different skills, gifts and personalities, and we should be using all of those in the best way we can.There are rarely any times in life when we are truly doing nothing. Even when we are sleeping, the brain is still working and our vital organs are still doing their job. When we collapse on the sofaat the end of the day, the mind is still ticking over (sometimes a bit too much). In the same way, God never ceases to be at work in our lives. He isn’t only available when we have the time to remember this. There is never a time when He is busy doing nothing!And when we think we are doing nothing, there is much that we are doing. If we are truly able to turn our whole beings to God, and we are bringing ourselves, our tasks and our concerns, into his ways, then our life becomes a continual prayer of offering. We are called to BE Christians and followers of Christ – the doing will follow!
A prayer before going to sleep
God our Father, by whose mercy the world turns safely into darkness and returns again to light:we place in your hands our unfinished tasks,our unsolved problems, and our unfulfilled hopes,knowing that only what you bless will prosper.To your love and protectionwe commit each other and all those we love,knowing that you alone are our sure defender,through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Church of South Ind