Are you willing to admit that you’ve been in this situation? You’re talking with someone. They are someone you look up to, admire, maybe even love. But they are not fully present with you in the conversation. Their eyes are wandering to see who else they could talk to, or they’re looking at the clock. They’re distracted, or simply bored. How does it make you feel?
One of the by-products of fully participating in our western society is that we perceive ourselves as really busy. Busy jobs, busy social lives, busy family life. Whilst none of this is intrinsically bad (quite the opposite often), I want to consider one potential consequence of this busyness which I have been challenged about recently. It revolves around this question:
Who are the losers in this busy world?
Those not able to busy themselves with participating in what society values. Those without work, or family, or friends. Perhaps those who live around us who we don’t have time to get to know. Perhaps an anonymous old person living nearby who can’t get out of the house, the single mum struggling to look after her kids, or the homeless person we give money to because we never have time to stop and chat.
Two things struck me. The first was that I was in danger of being so busy catching up with friends who live all over the place and going out to have a good time, that I was rarely present with those who live in the community of which I am a part. Secondly, I realised that my busyness was the result of my choice, and I have the power to make different choices.
When we think of re-imagining how we live in order that we participate in God-centred communities that better reflect His purposes for this world, we have to practice presence. Not just presence with those we love and enjoy spending time with, but those who make us feel uncomfortable or we find hard to spend time with: those no-one else has the time to love. It was often these that Jesus hung out with most - the outcasts, those unable to participate in society.
Perhaps, then, we too are the casualties of our busyness, for it prevents us from being fully present with those God has called us to spend at least some of our time with. Practicing courage in part means practicing presence with those in the community where we live and those who are the losers in this busy world.
What are you busy with?
I feel challenged to busy myself a little more with those who no one else has the time for.
ACTION POINTS:
1. Take 10 mins (if you have the time!) to look at how you spend your time - who is it with? Are you present with those other people don’t have time for?
2. How can you better practice presence?
3. If you’re in the UK and passionate about justice, why not come and join us on Tearfund’s campaign tour and learn how you can make some time for those the world forgets - www.tearfund.org/Campaigning
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