Much of my life I've felt simply too busy to pray. I crave God, and know that periods of stillness before God are essential for developing the intimacy that is life giving. But--and here's the rub--there's just too much to do. Over the last few years I've shifted. It's not that making time for prayer is easy; it's still a struggle. But I've reframed the way I view what I do. Desperation (as I've written about before) is a marvelous motivator. Desperation forced me to change my diet and habits half a dozen years ago when my health dropped through the floor. And part of that change meant a shift in my daily practices. Prayer--contemplative stillness before the Source of All--is simply not an option. It is life. To be driven along in the garbage and clutter of a chaotic life was never appealing, but I felt powerless against it.
Here's a link to a great article that offers five ways to carve out time for renovating a chaotic life and making time for exercise.
Yeah, make those changes--stubbornly, doggedly--and live better. But I can't help but wonder what transformations we'd know if we got exercised about the sacred and made similar changes so we could plop down before the Holy for awhile each day. I think our life depends on it.
Whether it's because we're unorganized, unmotivated, or simply over-tasked, we’re all too busy. If I were to ask you to dedicate an extra hour each day for something, you'd laugh and call me crazy. However, what if I asked for a fraction of that? What if I wanted 30 minutes of your day and promised that the time investment would actually increase your productivity each day? Not only that, but you'd potentially live longer, perhaps be happier, and definitely have more energy.
That doesn't sound like a bad deal. A little prep work, a small time investment, and loads of new attitudes and productivity gains. Where is the catch?
Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.
Many today are finding that the body and soul were never meant to be disconnected. Joining exercise and prayer is the path not only to healing, but to better attitudes and greater productivity. But we will have to choose to make changes and swim against the stream.