HOOKED ON HECTIC

Busyness is something almost universally compelling in modern American life. It is quite correctly connected to achievement. A goal oriented society that teaches the completeness of "having it all," can't sell that promise unless its citizenry is already primed to live at that speed.

I'm not here to debate the value of high speed living, only to expose the myth that "someday life settles down." It isn't true. I am in my 63rd year without realizing any appreciable change in my schedule. I can remember the unique pressures of each decade. I recall the conversations with my friends where we would discuss how much easier things were going to be, once this or that episode was over. And before I knew it, several decades had passes, and I found myself not working full time. Certainly life would have slowed by now, and without a doubt my schedule is less physically demanding. But that is owed to less physical capacity, not less to do.

As I began settling into my 50's, this queer little conversational icebreaker began to appear. It is spoken almost without variation, no matter where in the country I have heard it. Here goes, "since I retired I am busier now than when I was working," followed by general laughter and the knowing nod. Almost as if there were some kind of valor attached to the statement.

I have mentioned in an earlier post that I am generally lazy. In my teen years, the idea of working full time, particularly working full time for several decades in a row, was abhorrent to me. But I soon discovered that the alternative was even less attractive. I guess the first discipline I really learned was showing up for work. And the second discipline was actually being a productive worker. Neither of these things came naturally to me. In fact, I was so undependable that I was fired from several jobs in a row, before I really did the hard work of disciplining myself for the privilege of earning money.

And once that discipline was set in stone I have nothing to replace it. It could be summed up in the statement, " I do therefore I am." Sounds kind of hollow doesn't it. I agree, it sounds like having a full schedule is the only validation I have for living. And on the surface it may look that way. But what motivates me is Jesus Christ. And it is for Him that I live. He gets me up in the morning and puts me to sleep at night. He gives me daily opportunities to participate in His work. His last command before he ascended from this earth was, "go and make disciples." Those four words alone are enough to give me purpose till my dying breath.

So, all in all, learning productive work habits as a young man, is now bearing fruit as a soldier of the cross. Evidence, that along with all the regrets I have for the years I squandered before I was saved, some of it was positive.