Have you ever driven somewhere and wondered how you even got there? You were so deep in thought that you allowed your GPS to guide the way, barely seeing anything before you? Everything is a complete blur and yet you actually arrive at your destination in one piece. How does that happen? It’s as if the world has become invisible, all except for the road ahead.
We can walk through our entire lives this way, failing to see what is all around us. So overwhelmed with activity, we can miss the people and experiences along the way. We desire to connect with a divine purpose but the rate at which we are moving causes us to miss that as well.
Why do we live this way? I think there are several reasons for this but the primary reason is fear. Many of us believe that there is value in being “busy”. I can’t tell you how many times I have inquired about someone’s life, to have them respond with “Busy. I am so busy.” We often wear that as a badge of honor. If we slow down we are no longer productive or have the same value.
I, also, believe that being busy can help us avoid things we do not want to address. Stopping to “see” might cost us something; time, money, or even heartache. When we do stop to engage, we may not know what to say or do. So, we press on in the cycle of busyness. It feels familiar there.
I want to challenge each of us this week to dump the GPS. Take time to pause and notice the world around you. There are people out there that need to be seen. The landscape is filled with much beauty. Take time to see it.
Stories Changing Lives
Carol Marchant Gibbs