That "Nothing" is always so inviting. When you have the freedom to stay in bed and you have the freedom to not give any thought to anything why would you bother about anything until you are forced too? Why not just slumber on, doing nothing?
I sometimes commit this crime of giving in to doing nothing in the holidays. Days waste away and before I know it I have to get up early again. Have to work again. Have to actually "do" something again. The happiness I experienced blew away with the wind, not leaving any trace that it was ever there. The problem with the "nothing" holiday is that it is just that. "Nothing". As I experienced, at the end of the holiday you have nothing to show for it.
Imagine a different example. Holidays where you start on a project. Maybe to build something, or to write a book, something which will need time and energy but becomes something special in the end. You strive to finish the project and you spend all your holidays concentrating on getting it done. You struggle sometimes, but in the end you have created something. You have not wasted your holidays doing nothing, but have done something. Made a difference.
Life is like that too. To some it is just doing "nothing". The necessities, the easy way out. The pointless things that will fade away. The warmth and comfort of the bed. But at the end, what have you got to show for it? Nothing. Why not "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." as Jesus says in Matthew 6:19. Do something productive and not pointless. Don't spend your time on things that will just fade away. Give it all to God, where he can use it to really make it worth something.
A life is a big thing to lose to nothing. Why not appreciate the gift and use it?
I just discovered your blog and am very impressed :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right: those weekends where I end up doing literally nothing always make me feel guilty, like I am taking God's gift and not using it at all. I love the analogy you made: as they say, the purpose of life is a life with purpose. I wonder how many people can live thinking that their existence is an accident and in the end they are accountable about nothing.
Hi! =) What great food for thought, however I am reminded that we need to rest at times-- but you are SO right that it is all to easy to fall into a slump of doing nothing and stay there-- this is not a happy or productive way to live!! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts Jnana and Stephanie.
ReplyDeleteRest is good too isn't it. Hmmmm... Maybe I could write a post about that...