That verse was in my inbox this morning and this commentary was attached: “We are a driven culture. It seems that we want to achieve everything by yesterday! Some people may say that this is a good thing, but it seems we are perpetually tired and lack the margin to enjoy life. Solomon shows us that this is not unique to our culture. To understand the season that we are in can help us say no to many good things that are not appropriate at that particular time. May God give us the wisdom of Solomon, who knew how to focus on the right things in the right season.”
That hit me like a ton of bricks. I DO feel “perpetually tired” and it seems that I hear most of my friends complaining of that same thing. I’ve had 2 different friends recently tell me that they are just going to ask their doctor to put them on anti-depressants, because it seems everyone they know is on one and maybe it will help them feel better. It’s disturbing to me how many people are on anti-depressants these days. Don’t get me wrong… I KNOW that some people genuinely need those types of medications, but it seems the MAJORITY of people I know are on some sort of anti-anxiety or anti-depression medication. What is that saying about our society??? What it says to me is that everyone is feeling incredible pressure these days. The over-achieving culture we live in makes us feel like we can’t ever say “No” to any opportunity because we might miss out on something BIG if we do. We chase every little thing that comes our way until we get pulled into so many different directions that we don’t even know which way we initially meant to go! We get off track. We get lost. We get confused, tired, frustrated and depressed.
My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is that we can step back from the “chase” for a moment and look around at our priorities. That we can accurately evaluate what “season" we are in and that we can make better choices for ourselves and our families. That we can leave enough “margin to enjoy life” and we can all end 2010 with some calm, peace and joy.
Have a blessed week everyone!!
Great post, Marcia. And soooooo true!! Why are we all wired to try and do it all? Oh, to learn the joy of just "being" and let God love on us, eh? Thanks for sharing! Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane! Sure hope to get together with you soon! Hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMarcia, I think these same things you talk about inspired my song "When Love Won't Grow"
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy, and my will's a gettin' weak. My bones are achin' and I can't sleep. There's war and a fightin', nothin' seems right and, hate is all you can see!
A rose lies crushed and trampled beneath our feet in this gold stampede. Blinded by the glitter of the gold, we've destroyed what we really need."
Thanks for sharing Dan!
ReplyDelete