This morning I read the funnies. Michael, in “For Better Or Worse”, was moaning about having nothing to do. His friend came with 3 or 4 suggestions and Michael begged off. His frustrated Mom commented on his friends’ suggestions and asked, “what is it you WANT to do today?”
“Nothing,” Michael answered.
I had an afternoon like that. I wasted time. Oh dear, that’s the cardinal sin of our society – to be unproductive and waste time. But, after a full week of high productivity, I just wanted to do—nothing.
So I sat in my rocking chair (oh yes, the rocking chair!) and stared out my French doors towards the distant hills. I watched the sun play through the trees and finally highlight the old grasses sticking up out of the snow from last Fall. The sky stayed blue—that kind of blue that somehow reflects the sunlight. Yep, I spent at least an hour and a half, teacup in hand, rocking, watching—nothing.
How refreshing it was!
I remember reading an article by John Ortberg some time ago titled, “Time Well Wasted.” I thought how right he is. To be productive, there must be “staring time.” How little “staring time” is done by any of us, I think. But after today’s “staring time,” I went to my computer and got productive. That, too, felt good. I have solid direction on some things.
How wise is our God. He modeled “staring time” for us. On the seventh day of creation, He sat back and did nothing but gaze at what He had made. Today, I did nothing but gaze at what God had made. And it was good.
“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made” Genesis 2:2,3.
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