Men's Rosary

I remember my father often telling me to slow down.  I remember when I bought our home for the family my father commented on the birch clump in the front yard.  I asked…what birch clump?  He told me I needed to slow down….again!

Then I was busy working to provide for the family and my plate was full.  Too full to really take in the house and property I had purchased.  I was too busy working and fixing things at the house for the family.  But that was not good.

These days I still can get caught up in that pace.  I am sure that all of you can as well.  But we can control it to a certain extent.  We are challenged to be still and take pause for God and not be controlled by the things and people of this world.  “Be still before the Lord  and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over him who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalms 37:7)

While it has always been a challenge to slow down and notice our surroundings and the people around us, we have it even more difficult now.  In an age of high tech, we are constantly bombarded.  The amount of noise is incredible.  And it is all done under the false pretense of productivity and efficiency.  I would challenge that and say that it is doing the opposite.  The law of diminishing returns in economics is true in other aspects of life.  We are pushed to the brink and all that we do is done at a lesser level.  We do not have time to do things “right.”  We are constantly pushed to do more and worry about not accomplishing enough.  We are being driven by the world and not trusting in God.  “Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7)

While innovation is good, we must determine when it becomes too much.  When does it become bad or harmful?  At what point is this happening to us and  the people around us?  When does convenience become a poison pill?  Innovation is removing the human aspect from life.  If we remove the human aspect from daily life, we will remove God from daily life.  We are to be Christ on earth.  We are to interact with one another.  We are to love one another.  Innovation and high tech cannot do that.  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34-35)

We need to be careful, as men, not to overlook what we need to be doing to stay centered in Christ.  It is too easy to be pushed by others in the name of modernity.  But the more that is dumped on our plate and the quicker the pace of life becomes, the less time we will spend on what is truly important and that which will guide us to lead fulfilling lives and live in peace.  Peace will never be found in this world!  So do not let the world control you.  We will find peace only in Christ.  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  (John 14:27) 

We do need to operate in the world but we do not have to be controlled by it.  That is a choice to be made.  We choose how we wish to live and what is the most important thing to focus on.  This world is temporary, and we are here to prepare for that which is permanent.  “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  (Romans 12:2)

We can turn off our phones more, watch less news, spend more time with people, and most importantly spend more time with God.  To sit quietly with God, especially in Adoration, will give us peace, clarity in life and the strength to carry on.  Do not let the world push you.  Slow down and take the time needed for the important things.  The rest will take care of itself.