Reflection
Energy Levels
Energy Levels
Do you enjoy this time of year? As I get a little older each year (strange that!) I am less enthusiastic about the winter months. I find I have to push myself to do things. Some days, my energy levels are low and everything seems like an effort. A case in point is writing these words, just now. This is the third time I have started to write. The first times, my little magic writing machine did not save anything, and I was left staring at a blank page. Aahhh!
When my energies are somewhat depleted, the shoulds begin to shout at me. Here are a few of their raucous cries:
1. You should be doing more.
2. You should be giving more.
3. You should be back in the U.K. saving the Methodist Church from its terminal decline.
4. You should be praying better.
5. You should have more energy.
6. You should be much more involved in climate change, prison reform, the refugee crisis, poverty issues, healthcare improvements and politics generally.
A teacher I know has a delightful saying: ‘Should is Shit’. The shoulds don’t get me anywhere and they don’t get you anywhere, except further into the … you know what. They don’t show us anything new.
So, how do we get away from the shoulds to something else? An intentional, mindful turning to the strand of prophecies starting with Isaiah 40 could be a good move. These are the sayings of an inspired prophet in exile, who, with his people, had almost given up on God. And then his soul encountered something different. In the words of the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, centuries later: and dost thou touch me afresh? / Over again I feel thy finger and find thee. The prophet is given words of hope, and speaks these words to the soul of a dispirited, de-energised people. He realises that God is the God of all the nations, not just of Israel, and this God, who enabled his people to walk out of slavery on dry land, will make a safe way for them to return home. Truly, God is doing a new thing.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40 29 - 31)
When our energies are depleted and the shoulds tyrannise us, let us lean on these words. Let us do what is ours to do; let us pray imperfectly; let us love those around us as best we can; let us hope, not in ourselves and our own effort, but in the Lord.